Shamrock Rovers' league ambitions may not have been completely killed off by their loss of form in recent weeks but the reality is that the Carlsberg FAI Cup represents their only realistic hope of a trophy in a season that had, until recently, held out the possibility of what would have been a quite amazing treble.
To maintain their hopes in this competition, though, Damien Richardson and his men must dramatically improve on their recent displays and overcome the series of injury problems that has afflicted them during the current rocky patch. On the face of it the fitness of Sean Francis and Tony Grant would appear to be of central importance to the visiting side's hopes this evening and as of last night the fitness of both men remained a major concern for their manager.
"When you look at it," says Richardson, "we've been playing extremely well this season and scoring goals in a way that we hadn't done last season. The reason for that has been the front two and the fact we've been unimpressive since the Bohemians game, which was the last time they played together, underlines just how important they've become to us."
Pat Scully (hamstring), Richie Byrne and Jason Colwell (both thigh) are all doubtful too and Richardson admits that, with Pat Deans, Marc Kenny and Greg Costello all only in the process of getting back into the swing of things after injuries, he is likely to have to gamble a little when it comes to naming his side.
For Galway manager Martin Murray the league remains the priority but recent improvement in the club's situation on that front will provide much needed confidence ahead of the visit of Rovers.
Jonathan Prizeman is ruled out by an appendicitis that struck him yesterday morning but the reality is that the midfielder was unlikely to have started in any case. Instead Ciarán Kavanagh is expected to move into the centre of midfield to partner Chris Lawless while David Hoey may return on the right side of midfield.
Dundalk's recent improvement combined with the difficulties encountered by their opponents makes the whole thing very difficult to call but the pressure does appear to be on Rovers. "It wouldn't be such a bad season now," says Murray, "if we made it to the play-offs and reached the cup final and the players are certainly looking forward to it."
A win this evening, one suspects, would help his side achieve both of their targets.
Paths to the semi-finals - Dundalk: Second round: bt Galway 0-1 in a replay; third round: bt Kilkenny City 2-3; quarter-finals: bt Finn Harps 0-2. Shamrock Rovers: Second round: bt Cork City 0-1; third round: bt Monaghan United 4-0; quarter-finals: bt Sligo Rovers 2-0.
Leading cup scorers: Dundalk: Reilly, Keddy (two each); Shamrock Rovers: Woods (three).
Betting: Home: 9/4; Draw: 9/4; Away: Evens.
Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).
