Sligo Rovers -v- Drogheda United

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo Rovers face an uphill task on Monday night as they aim to overturn a two goal deficit in the second leg of their Setanta Sports Cup semi-final tie against Drogheda United at The Showgrounds.

The Bit O'Red also go into this game on the back of their first League defeat of the season after losing 2-0 to St. Patrick's Athletic on Friday.

The home side have been hit with a number of injury worries. Danny North (knee), Seamus Conneely (knee) and Ciaran Kelly (sternum) are all out. Rafael Cretaro (thigh) has also joined the absentee list after picking up an injury during Friday's pre-match warm-up.

Alan Keane and Joseph Ndo look set to be available while Aaron Greene (groin) has been rated as doubtful.

Rovers boss Ian Baraclough spoke to sligorovers.com ahead of the game.

 "After a defeat you do want to get back on the pitch, you do want to rectify things and hopefully the players and certainly myself are fully prepared for an exciting game with Drogheda where you can go and get into a cup final.

"It is a big motivation for the players. We were punished for not taking our chances in the first leg and we have to turn that around on Monday. It is a tough task but we’re going to give all we can. It’s a competition that we targeted at the start of the season because the club has never won it before.

"The supporters can have a role to play because I know The Showgrounds crowd will relish this type of occasion. We are the underdog but there is a cup final at stake and we know we are capable of scoring goals and winning games. There are a number of players unavailable but we have to cope with that. Every member of the squad has a part to play and everyone that takes to the field will be totally focused on the prize on offer on Monday night."

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda go into this game with one foot in the Setanta Sports Cup Final following a 2-0 victory over Sligo Rovers in the first leg.

One of the goalscorers from that game, Gary O'Neill, has been rated doubtful, along with Brian Gannon who is suffering from the flu. Alan Byrne meanwhile has been confirmed as the only definite absentee for tomorrow's trip to The Showgrounds.

Mick Cooke is delighted to be taking a two goal advanatge to Sligo but insists a lot work is still needed to ensure they reach the Final.

"It's only half-time in the tie but it's nice to be going to Sligo with a two goal advantage, but we know there is still a lot of work to be done to see out the game. Sligo are a wounded animal at the moment, having lost to us and Pats on Friday and they will be even more dangerous. 

"We obviously go up there with a few casualties and that won't help matters, but this just gives a chance for other people to come in, this is what you need a squad for and it hasn't been the first time I've relied on players to step up. 

"We did well against UCD, I thought we took our eye off the ball a little when we went 2-0 up and we were punished and then a defensive mistake when we were 3-1 saw us punished again. We know if we do that in Sligo we will get severely punished. But the lads showed a lot of professionalism to see it out."

Referee: Arnold Hunter

MATCH STATS

Sligo Rovers went in to the 2nd leg of last season's Setanta Sports Cup semi-final against Crusaders trailing by two goals. They managed to pull two of their own back but Crusaders progressed to the final after scoring a penalty in extra-time.

If Drogheda United can win on the night, it will be their fourth consecutive win over The Bit O'Red.

Drogheda won back to back Setanta Cup trophies in 2006 and 2007 and remain the only team to have won it twice.

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 3/4; Draw 12/5; Drogheda United 15/4.

PREDICTION

I can't see Sligo Rovers performing poorly for a third game in a row, but I think Drogheda will do enough to make it to the Final.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Danny North (knee), Seamus Conneely (knee), Ciaran Kelly (sternum), Rafael Cretaro (thigh).
Doubtful: Aaron Greene (groin).
Suspended: None.

Drogheda United

Injured: Alan McNally.
Doubtful: Gary O'Neill, Brian Gannon.
Suspended: None.