SOCCER:SLIGO ROVERS manager Paul Cook says Tuesday's EA Sports Cup semi-final defeat on penalties at Derry City hasn't cast a shadow over their season. Having relinquished one of the cups they won last year, Sligo won't want a repeat tonight when Monaghan United, the team they beat in the League Cup final last year and in the quarter-finals of the FAI Cup, visit the Showgrounds.
“I didn’t come away from Tuesday disillusioned,” insisted Cook. “I thought we played very well for a lot of the game but we didn’t take our chances. That is something we must work on because if you don’t take your chances, you don’t win games.”
Monaghan manager Collins is likely to start midfielder Willo McDonagh, who made his debut as a substitute in last week’s 3-1 home win over Waterford United, following his signing from Irish League side Glenavon.
Bohemians have their captain Owen Heary available for their trip to Longford Town in a repeat of the final of 2001. Manager Pat Fenlon is without attacking midfielder Stephen Traynor (ankle), though pivotal midfielder Glenn Cronin should be fit despite suffering a cut to his head in last Monday’s 1-1 draw at St Patrick’s Athletic.
Longford hope to have their leading scorer Don Cowan back from a groin injury, though Tony Cousins is set to continue without defender Niall O’Reilly and former Northern Ireland international winger Keith Gillespie who are injured.
