If the fans at Oriel Park think they've seen a bit of upheaval since Jim McLaughlin assumed control of their side once again, they should spare a thought for their opponents this evening.

As part of his campaign to rebuild Dundalk in the wake of last year's skirmish with relegation, McLaughlin has brought in seven new players as well as promoting a couple from the reserves.

Swilly Rovers manager Danny McConnell prefers to talk in terms of the ones who are still there from his predecessor's time. It's easier that way, of course, for there's only one. Garvin Sweeney aside, McConnell has brought in every member of the panel for tonight's trip to Louth since he joined the club last summer. On the face of it, he seems to have recruited well.

Twice Junior Cup winners in the 1960s, Swilly have, says McConnell, been somewhat adrift for the past few years but, having brought the core of his Drumoghill Celtic team to Ramelton with him and added a few more along the way the club's fortunes have been transformed in recent months.

Unbeaten in 17 matches, Swilly lie seven points behind Fanad United in the Ulster Senior League table with a game in hand. When they met in the League Cup it was McConnell's men who prevailed.

A second-round win over Drumoghill got them started on the road to the last 32 of the senior competition and they showed their quality last time out by beating Glebe North 2-1 to earn a crack at one of the big names. Just as they did on their last appearance in the competition 11 years ago, the minnows were paired with Dundalk, as big a tie as any club could hope for.

"We're not under any illusions about how tough it's going to be, they're in the Premier Division of the National League so they'll do things quicker, they'll do them smarter and it'll be difficult for our lads to keep up," says McConnell.

Having seen Dundalk's win over Finn Harps a couple of weeks ago, McConnell knows exactly what his side will be up against. "They are very well organised and in that game, even though they only got a couple of chances, they took one and went away the winners."

He feels, however, that through the middle of the team he has the strength to cause their opponents some problems and he will be looking in particular to strikers Martin Doherty and Michael Elliott to unhinge Dundalk.

"It would be lovely if we could get something out of it, though. To give them a good game would probably be the first priority but if we get the opportunity we'd love to take it and if can get through the first few minutes without giving away anything silly then we should have a chance or two to cause them a bit of trouble."

Forcing a replay with the 1988 cup winners would, he says, represent a fine night's work. He feels Dundalk might be a little shaken by the reception they would receive in a town that has been gripped by a touch of cup fever over the past few weeks.

The Donegal side will certainly not be overawed by the occasion for among the men McConnell has attracted to Swilly Park are Maurice Laverty, Doherty and Brendan McLoughlin, all of whom had spells in the Irish League.

Others, like central defender John Gildea, have enjoyed a taste of the big time with the Donegal Gaelic football team, and so the 26-year-old will be no stranger to Peter Withnell, the man he may be asked to mark this evening.

"I've only played against him once, a few years ago, but he looked strong and very quick for his size and he's supposed to be much the same way in the soccer," says Gildea who has only recently returned from Boston.

Nobody, says Gildea, is getting carried away about the chances of causing an upset but given the problems Fanad have caused National League opposition in recent years, Dundalk would do well not to underestimate their visitors.

"They'll have an awful lot of experience in their team but I'll be very disappointed if we don't give them a scare. If we can keep it tight early on then there'll always be five or 10 minutes in any game when you'll have the better of it. Then it'll be up to us to make the most of it."

One way or the other, his manager insists, there is still plenty ahead for the club this season with the League, League Cup and Intermediate Cup still to be pursued over the coming months. But even with a schedule that hectic there'll be no objections around the club to squeezing in another game or two if the need arises.