SOCCER FAI REPLAY PREVIEWS:HAVING SURVIVED a fairly hectic second-half barrage at Dalymount Park on Friday night, Sligo Rovers will look to have a crack at toppling the holders on home soil in what is one of four Ford-sponsored FAI Cup quarter-final replays to be played this evening.
Paul Cook has defender Alan Keane back from suspension for the game but sounds doubtful about the man who scored the winner in the league game between the two sides a couple of weeks back making it back into the side just yet.
“The lads at the back were magnificent (at Dalymount) so it would be hard to change things,” he says.
“They’re a top side and the longer it (the first game) went the harder it got, but there’ll be a very big crowd at the Showgrounds for the replay and we’ll be looking to give it a real go.”
The visitors have Gary Deegan back from suspension and the central midfielder might well return to Pat Fenlon’s side. Ken Oman and Owen Heary, though, are still unavailable for a tie the manager insists his side can wrap up at the second time of asking.
Sporting Fingal will head for Tallaght hoping they can spring a surprise on Bohemians’ chief rivals for the league title, Shamrock Rovers, but there is a suspicion that Liam Buckley’s side may have missed their chance in the first leg when a poor first-half display left them struggling to avoid elimination. Buckley could well name an unchanged side against his former club, with Lorcan Fitzgerald and Daniel Corcoran, both of whom missed Saturday’s game, facing fitness tests.
Rovers are again likely to be without Darragh Maguire (calf) and Paddy Kavanagh (hip), while Pat Sullivan remains cup-tied but Ian Bermingham is in with a strong shout of being fit enough for selection.
St Pat’s manager Jeff Kenna is again facing a lengthening injury list and with Dave Partridge and Jamie Harris among those sidelined, Stuart Byrne is in line for a run-out at centre back.
Mark Quigley, who like the two defenders has a hamstring problem, will join the pair in the stands, while Garret O’Connor is doubtful with a knee injury, although Darragh Ryan could be in a position to start, having recovered from a knock to the hip.
Waterford boss Stephen Henderson should have an unchanged squad for the game with Paul Walsh (cup-tied), Paul McCarthy and David Grincell (both out injured long-term) still unavailable.
In the night’s other game, Bray will have Chris Deans back from suspension, while Paul Byrne is injured and Derek Foran and Gary McCabe face late tests ahead of the visit to the Carlisle Grounds of Longford Town following Saturday’s scoreless first encounter.
