A total of 47 teams competed in the 2010 competition which commenced on the weekend ending Sunday 21 March 2010. The 22 teams entered from the League of Ireland Premier and First divisions received byes into the third round stage while the remaining 25 teams entered at the First and Second round stages with 15 of these 25 teams receiving byes into the second round. These 25 teams composed of 5 League of Ireland A Championship clubs, 16 Intermediate clubs and 4 Junior clubs. As winners of the competition, Sligo Rovers earned spots in both the third qualifying round of the 2011–12 UEFA Europa League and the 2011 Setanta Sports Cup.
First round
The draw for the first round took place on 10 March 2010.[2] Fixtures were played weekend ending, Sunday 21 March 2010.