At home to a Premier Division side may be considered the ideal draw for a top non-league outfit, but Malahide United fear the size and quality of their pitch at Gannon Park reduces their chance of causing an upset against St Patrick's Athletic tomorrow afternoon.

"I actually feel our pitch could go against us and I wouldn't have minded playing them at Richmond Park instead," said Malahide manager Bobby Browne, who began his playing career at St Patrick's. "It has tighter confines and it wouldn't be as hard to close them down."

LSL champions Bangor Celtic's captain David White is relishing the chance of he and his team-mates pitting themselves against Shelbourne at Tolka Park.

White is set to play right back alongside Derek Prendergast, who will be marking Irish international Jason Byrne. "Derek, who is only 21, has been by far our best player this season," said White. "It will be a good battle and he's been talking about it in training during the week. But we're all looking forward to it."

Sligo Rovers manager Seán Connor has cited the example of their close shave with elimination to Malahide (who took them to a replay) last year to motivate his players ahead of their trip to Turner's Cross to play MSL side Carrigaline United this evening.

"I'm glad that we had the experience of playing Malahide because we can see how a team like this can raise their performance on the day," said Connor, who must watch from the stand as he serves a dugout ban.

Mark McChrystal deputises for Ken Oman (ankle) in the centre of Derry City's defence for their trip to Blarney United.

Castlebar Celtic are delighted to be able to host their game with Shamrock Rovers at Celtic Park tomorrow.

"We're looking forward to it, it's a big occasion so it's great to be staging it at the ground," said Castlebar boss Gavin Dykes, who won the cup with Sligo Rovers in 1994.