Setanta Cup Preview - St. Pat's -v- Sligo Rovers

• Extratime Team
• Mon, Apr 14 2014




ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Sligo hold the advantage in the tie after a 2-0 win through goals from Danny North in either half saw off the SSE Airtricity League champions three weeks ago. 


Ahead of the tie, Saints’ manager Liam Buckley told stpatsfc.com that his squad are full of belief that they can still progress to the Setanta Sports Cup final, with either Dundalk or Shamrock Rovers awaiting. 


“We’ve had two good wins in the last few days, so the lads are in good form heading into the game.  Sligo may have an advantage going into Monday evening, but we are still only 90 minutes away from the final so we’ll be fighting tooth and nail to get there.” 


Following several knocks picked up in the last few games, Liam Buckley reports that both Ger O’Brien (groin) and Killian Brennan (hamstring) will face late fitness tests before kick-off. 


After sustaining a heavy knock to his jaw in last Friday’s 1-0 home win against Shamrock Rovers, Buckley confirmed that Saints’ midfielder Greg Bolger suffered no break as was initially feared, with the Wexford born man now in contention to make an appearance on Monday. 


Having injured his hamstring in the first leg defeat, Rene Gilmartin misses out, though Buckley reports that he continues to make good progress in his recovery.  James Chambers also sits out the Setanta clash having received a one match ban for his red card in the Showgrounds. 


For Saints’ wide man Daryl Kavanagh, the need to motivate himself to turn the tie around is not needed having been knocked out of last year’s semi-finals with Cork City – the Leesiders exiting the competition at the hands of eventual winners Shamrock Rovers after an injury time winning goal from Billy Dennehy knocked Kavanagh and the Leesiders out. 


“That was a hurtful moment,” Kavanagh admitted when speaking to stpatsfc.com.  “I was after scoring a goal just before that.  That would have sent us through to the final, but a few minutes later Billy scored a goal and that knocked us out.  I’ve never got to the final of the Setanta Sports Cup before so that’s something I’d like to do.” 


The Saints have history in winning a home leg of a semi-final against Sligo Rovers in the Setanta Sports Cup, having defeated Paul Cook’s side in 2010 on a 4-1 scorline.  Despite the deficit to the Bit O’Red this time around, Carrick on Suir man Kavanagh remained bullish about the Saints’ chances. 


“Hopefully we can get an early goal.  Whatever team Liam picks, it’ll be strong.  Sligo are a good side and I heard they played well against Cork at the weekend so I think they are turning the tide a bit.” 


“The first leg was close enough at times, but between the first goal and then James Chambers’ red the last day, they got momentum and we never got a good run at them.  Any player that goes onto that pitch tomorrow will believe we can get something out of the game, so we’ll really be up for it.” 

 

SLIGO ROVERS

The Bit o' Red are 2-0 up after the first leg in The Showgrounds and are aiming to reach the final for the first time.

 

Manager Ian Baraclough has reported some niggles following the match with Cork City and they will be assessed again on Monday prior to the game.

 

However, it is hoped the same squad for Friday's match with Cork will be available. John Russell could also return after a hamstring problem ruled him out of Friday's game.

 

Seamus Conneely (groin), Raffaele Cretaro (calf) and Gavin Peers (knee) are definitely ruled out. 

 

Baraclough said: "It was a fantastic all-round team performance in Cork. There were also some fine individual displays. Overall as far as our performance goes it was very pleasing and probably our best of the season so far. We are certainly going in the right direction. 

 

"It was a bitter one to swallow, we should have been three or four up I felt and we were made to pay. 

 

"Scoring will mean St Pat's need four goals to go through so in terms of our approach, it's something that would put us in a tremendous position. It would make it very difficult for Pat's. 

 

"We hadn't mentioned this semi-final until the aftermath of Cork game. It was put to the back of our minds and now comes the chance to reach the first final of the season. We've got ourselves a decent lead from the first leg in a game we dominated and it's all about finishing the job."

 

Referee: Derek Tomney

 

 

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers have never reached a Setanta Sports Cup final – they have lost out at the semi-finals stage for the last four years.

 

Sligo and Pats met in 2010 at the semi-final stage. Pats won before losing to Bohemians in the finals.

 

Sligo Rovers have conceded one goal so far in this competition, scoring 11. St Pats have scored six, and conceded their first goals in the first leg of this tie.

 

 

BETTING

St Pat’s 32/20; Draw 9/4; Sligo Rovers 9/4

 

PREDICTION

A Pats victory on the night – 2-1, with Sligo winning 3-2 on agg

 

 

St. Patrick's Athletic

Injured: Rene Gilmartin (hamstring)
Doubtful: Greg Bolger (jaw), Killian Brennan (hamstring), Ger O'Brien (groin)
Suspension: James Chambers

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Seamus Conneely (groin), Raffaele Cretaro (calf), Gavin Peers (knee)
Doubtful: John Russell (hamstring)