Drogheda United -v- Sligo Rovers

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United recorded only their second league win of the season against a dogged Shelbourne side on Friday night. The Boynesiders once again had to come from behind as Declan O’Brien came off the bench to bag a brace either side of a Gary O’Neill goal. 

However, Tuesday night will provide a different challenge. Drogheda are unbeaten in seven league games and with this being a two-legged affair the Boynesiders ability to avoid defeat will be crucial as they welcome the league’s most consistent side. 

Speaking ahead of the game, Drogheda manager Mick Cooke was in a pragmatic mood. 

“Tuesday will be a nice test for us, a semi-final with a chance of the place in the final. We'll be going into it with a lot of confidence on the back of Friday night. It will be an intriguing game as first and second from last season meet. It's a two-legged affair so we will be looking to get something to bring to Sligo. 

“We have been drawing a lot of games and when you look at our records we only lost one league game in the last eight games from last season and we have only lost one league game in the first eight from this season. So losing only twice in sixteen league games is no mean feat,” added Cooke. 

Cooke’s only injury worry is Gary O’Neill who picked up a calf problem in training. O’Neill has been the target man for the season as Drogheda have favoured a 4-5-1 formation, but with Graham Rusk returning to the side there is a ready made replacement. There is also Friday’s two-goal hero, Declan O’Brien, and Peter Hynes to choose from. 

The Boynesiders have negotiated two rounds of the competition, a tough two-legged affair against Derry saw them qualify with a late late goal. 

This will also be the first time in which there are two additional referees as IFA officials Mervyn Smyth and Ray Crangle will perform the duties of ‘penalty box’ referees in Drogheda. 

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo are perennial Setanta Cup semi-finalists, and Ian Baraclough will be hoping his side can finally go one step beyond and book a place in the final. Their last visit to Drogheda for a cup competition saw them eliminated from the EA Sports cup last season at the semi-final stage. The game came days after they hammered Drogheda 4-1 at the Showgrounds. 

The Bit O’Red are unbeaten in eight league games, ironically defeating Cork to achieve this, Cork being the last side to start a season unbeaten in eight. They also put eight goals past Glentoarn in their comfortable two-legged quarter-final win. However, Drogheda should prove to be their first significant test in the competition. 

Rovers boss Ian Baraclough said: "We've talked about the performance against Cork City where we were not at our best. I don't think it was a game to dwell too much on, we came away with three points and now we have a semi-final to look forward to. I think we prefer playing games rather than training and we will try to produce a more complete display tomorrow night.

"We have had a few days to get ready to go again and there is a final at stake over these two legs. I want to win this competition, it is a chance for some early-season silverware and it is one that has eluded the club.

"A cup semi-final is a game to perk players up. I was in Tolka Park to see Drogheda beat Shelbourne last Friday and they will not let us have it our own way. We have to make sure we are strong, we have to make sure we are strong mentally and play and get back to the way we know."

Baraclough will be boosted by the return of Joseph N’Do while Danny North (knee), Seamus Conneely (knee) and Ciaran Kelly (fractured sternum) will all miss out. Sligo’s defence has been the meanest in the league, having conceded only two goals in their opening eight games. They have yet to concede in the Setanta Cup also. 

Referee:Mark Courtney.

MATCH STATS

Rovers are in the semi-final stage for the fourth year in-a-row after beating Glentoran, but they have never reached the final.

This will be Rovers' 11th semi-final in all competitions since 2009.

This will be the first of three meetings between the sides in the space of two weeks. 

The last two meetings between the sides happened at Hunky Dorys Park with Drogheda winning 2-1 on both occasions

BETTING

Drogheda United 11/4, Draw 11/5, Sligo Rovers Evs.

PREDICTION

Although Sligo are on a roll, Drogheda have proven to be tough to break down and I predict a 1-1 draw.

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Gary O’Neill.

Suspended:None.

Sligo Rovers

Injured:Danny North, Seamus Conneely, Ciaran Kelly.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.