Sport

FAI Cup: Previews

There has been a little bit of wrangling going on during the past day or so as to whether City would have their on-loan striker…

Sat Aug 17 2002 - 01:00

There has been a little bit of wrangling going on during the past day or so as to whether City would have their on-loan striker David Whittle available this evening, but Longford, who loaned him to them in the first place, have insisted he sits the game out.

SATURDAY

Kilkenny City v Longford Town (7.45)

Otherwise, City have a full squad to choose from, while Alan Matthews has Vinny Perth back from suspension, allowing him to make a straight swap in midfield for the injured Darragh Sheridan.

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Betting: Home: 11/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/6.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

SUNDAY

Monaghan United v Cork City (2.0)

Both of these have been going fairly well of late and, while Eddie Meier (ankle) is out and both Trevor Vaughan (thigh) and Darren McKenna (hamstring) face late fitness tests, the hosts will fancy their chances of springing a surprise.

Cork City are still without a handful of players, including James Mulligan, Conor O'Grady and David Warren, but Liam Murphy is satisfied with the way the team have progressed in recent weeks, especially in front of goal.

Betting: Home: 6/1, Draw: 11/4, Away: 2/5.

Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).

Fairview Rangers v Finn Harps (2.30)

The non-league side are at full strength, but only as a result of central midfielder Barry Heffernan agreeing to fly home early from his holiday in Cyprus in order to be available.

"They might beat us three or four nil," says Fairview boss Dermot Finnan, "and if they do then so be it, but we might do to them what we did to Dublin City and that means the pressure is very much on them".

Jonathon Speak agrees, admitting that having been around when Harps were beaten by Wayside Celtic a few years back he won't be taking anything for granted this weekend.

Betting: Home: 9/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: Evens.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

Shamrock Rovers v Cobh (3.15)

The home side will have Marc Kenny available again after the midfielder missed Thursday's UEFA Cup match due to suspension, but there is a doubt about Tony Grant, who lasted only half of that game due to a thigh injury, while Derek Tracey is again likely to be missing.

Cobh are without John Donegan (shoulder) and Willie Bruton (hamstring) but Terry White is unlikely to be involved, having just returned from his holidays, while Jason Kabia is in England at a family wedding.

Betting: Home: 1/3, Draw: 3/1, Away: 7/1.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).