FAI Cup Quarter-final: "Every team has its banana skin," says Eric Hannigan, manager of First Division Kildare County, as he prepares to upset the considerable odds and dump St Patrick's Athletic out of the FAI Cup in the first of this weekend's quarter-finals at Richmond Park tonight. Hopefully they'll have to look out for one."

It may be the cup, but Eamon Collins's side slipping up at this juncture in the form they are in would be a shock on a par with Shelbourne's defeat to Sligo Rovers in the last round.

Ominously, County's path this far has left two non-league teams by the wayside while St Patrick's, who have won their last six games, beat Shamrock Rovers before brushing aside the challenge of First Division leaders Dublin City.

"We have to make sure that doesn't happen to us," said Hannigan of Dublin City's misadventure at the same venue. "We'll make sure everyone is awake from the start. I think we'll be okay. I won't need to motivate them and we'll give them a game."

Currently second in the First Division, County's priority this season is promotion with this game serving as a gauge of what to expect if that materialises.

"It's a massive jump for us, a different class altogether," agrees Hannigan. "But it's what it's all about. We can't be afraid of them. If we are talking about playing in their park every second week next season then we have to be prepared to do it now."

Tadhg Murphy comes into goal for the cup-tied Danny O'Leary while midfielder Marc Kenny will need a late fitness test on a knee strain. Winger Shay Zeller (ankle injury) is Hannigan's chief concern.

"This won't be easy," admits Collins. "They have won four of their last five matches and have plenty of experience in their ranks with players like Barry O'Connor, Marc Kenny and Gareth Cronin. Look what happened to Shelbourne in the last round. We will need to be at our best."

Encouragingly for County, Collins has selection problems in key areas. Colm Foley being hospitalised with acute food poisoning coupled to recent signing Clive Delaney's ineligibility presents Collins with a defensive headache.

Barry Prenderville is likely to slot in alongside Darragh Maguire in central defence, with Paul Donnelly dropping back to play at right back, if he's passed fit after a stomach-muscle strain. Davy Byrne's continuing absence with an ankle injury and Keith Fahey's suspension also necessitate a rejigging of midfield.

LAST NIGHT: First Division - Dublin City 1, Athlone Town 1; Kilkenny City 1, Finn Harps 3.