Finn Harps v Cork City: "We've just had one good night and we are looking forward to another one," says Finn Harps manager Jonathan Speak. "It's our biggest game of the season now that we've got the biggest game of the season out of the way," he added in reference to their First Division Cup success of Wednesday night, the club's first trophy since winning the FAI Cup back in 1974.
(Ballybofey, 8.0)
Harps, favourites for promotion back to the Premier Division this season, know no team will relish coming to Finn Park where a crowd of some 5,000 is expected tonight. Indeed, Cork have taken the not inconsiderable step of flying up for the game to maximise their chances.
"I don't know how Cork will feel coming here as they are going very well," says Harps defender Declan Boyle who, with team-mate Johnny Kenny, was a member of the Sligo Rovers team that beat Cork City on the way to winning the FAI Cup eight years ago.
"But in cup football you always have a chance because it's down to who plays well on the day. We are full of confidence at the moment as we're going really well and hopefully we can surprise them. We're glad the game is here rather than at Turner's Cross as it's always a difficult place to go. With a big crowd behind us, and if we are a bit sharper and move the ball around a little better that we did on Wednesday, we'll be in with a chance."
With striker Kevin McHugh still resting a foot injury, midfielder Jonathan Minnock, expected to have recovered from bruised ribs, should be the only change from the side that beat Kildare County on Wednesday.
Goalkeeper Michael Devine is Cork's main concern with a back complaint. John Andrews may make his first start for City if left-back Neal Horgan fails a fitness test on a knee injury.
Paths to the quarter-final: Finn Harps 1 Leeds AFC 0, Fairview Rangers 0 Finn Harps 2; Cork City 9 Glenmore/Dundrum 0, Monaghan United 1 Cork City 1, Cork City 3 Monaghan United 0.
Referee: D. McKeon (Dublin)
Betting: Home: 3/1; Draw: 9/4; Away: 4/5.
