EA Sports Second Round Previews

There are seven games in the Second Round of the EA Sports Cup on Monday evening with the remaining second round game taking place on Tuesday evening.

Holders Drogheda United are at home to First Division pacesetters, Longford Town, as they begin the defence of the trophy they won last September when they beat Shamrock Rovers 3-1 in the final.

Rovers gained revenge for that defeat last week when they beat Drogheda 7-1 in the Setanta Sports Cup Final but Mick Cooke has been pleased with the response of his side since then.

“Our last two performances since the Setanta Sports Cup final have been excellent. We have bounced back as I knew we were capable of doing and if we continue on in that vein tomorrow, I would be confident of getting a result,” said Cooke.

There is another fascinating clash at Finn Park where Finn Harps, who are second in the First Division, host Derry City, who are currently third in the Premier Division, one point behind leaders Sligo Rovers and second place St Patrick’s Athletic.

Harps have beaten the top two in the First Division – Longford Town and Mervue United – in recent weeks and manager Peter Hutton is relishing the prospect of taking on the FAI Ford Cup holders in Ballybofey.

“Monday’s game will be an extremely tough game with them flying high in the Premier Division and on the back of a great result away to Drogheda.  However the First Division itself is a very tough league and there are no easy games so we will continue to look forward to the next challenge and hope to give a good account of ourselves,“ said Hutton who added: “We will go out to win the game no doubt and will field a team I feel capable of getting us a result but we also have to balance the long journey coming on Friday away to Wexford and those struggling with injuries from Mervue.”

League champions Sligo Rovers will be well rest ahead of the visit of Mervue United to the Showgrounds after their game with Dundalk on Saturday night was called off due to a waterlogged pitch but it means that Gavin Peers and David Cawley, who were due to miss that game through suspension, must now serve their bans in the cup game.

"We were in Finn Park on Friday night to watch Mervue United against Finn Harps and look at the challenge that they will pose us,” said Sligo boss Ian Baraclough. “They will come to Sligo feeling they have nothing to lose and it is up to us to go and win the tie. The players will be itching for a game after the cancelled fixture and we hope to see that in the performance."

Following the resignation of manager Paul O’Brien Waterford United face a daunting trip to Thomond Park to face Limerick but they will be consoled the fact that the last time the Blues lost a manager in mid-season they responded with a resounding Cup win in their very next game, 3-0 at home against New Ross Celtic in the FAI Cup which, ironically, was Paul O'Brien's first game in charge.

The cup competitions represent Limerick’s best opportunity of winning silverware this season and that’s something boss Stuart Taylor is well aware of.  “Waterford United are a good side, it’s a cup competition so we want to do well and it’s a local derby so it adds something extra to the match for us and our excellent home support.”

Cork City will be hoping to put their recent poor run behind them when they travel to Ferrycarrig Park to face Wexford Youths who have won three of their last four league games while Salthill Devon, the only team in the Airtricity League without a win this season, face an uphill task at home to high-flying St Patrick’s Athletic.

Only two points separate Bohemians and Bray Wanderers on the Premier Division table so their meeting at Dalymount Park could be one of the most keenly contested fixtures as the evening particularly as they come into the game on the back of morale boosting results on Friday night when Bohs held Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght and Bray scored their first win in 26 years in Cork.

Monday’s team news (updated as we get it)

Limerick v Waterford United, Thomond Park, 7.45pm

Limerick: Stuart Taylor faces some selection headaches after a tough week on the injury front. He may have to plan without Barry Ryan, Robbie Williams, Dom Foley as well as Dave O’Leary and Pat Purcell who picked up knocks during Friday’s game in Dublin. Joe Gamble will be available after suspension

Waterford United: Striker Paudie Quinn picked up a knock on the ankle on Friday night, but should be alright to play. Midfielder Peter Higgins is the only injury worry, rated only 50:50 with a quad strain.

Sligo Rovers v Mervue United, The Showgrounds, 7.45pm

Sligo Rovers: Gavin Peers and David Cawley will serve one-game suspensions with Danny North, Seamus Conneely and Ciaran Kelly unavailable.

Mervue United: Glynn has a long injury list to contend with as captain Tom King (hamstring), Jason Molloy (ankle), Marc Ludden (foot) and Noel Varley (back) will all miss the game, while Mike Elwood (exams) and Kenny Farrell (work) are also unavailable. Midfielder Gary Curran (knee), having missed the game in Donegal, is also a major doubt.

Defender Martin Conneely is only back in full training and may be on the bench, while goalkeeper Brian O’Donoghue only returns from the US on Monday morning. Under 19 players Michael James and Dillon Murphy have been added to the squad for the game.

Drogheda United v Longford Town, Hunky Dorys Park, 7.45pm

Drogheda United: Several players are carrying injuries with Brian Gannon, Derek Prendergast, Gary O'Neill and Declan O'Brien all doubtful. 

Finn Harps v Derry City, Finn Park, 7.45pm

Finn Harps:  Michael Funston sits out Monday’s game due to suspension. Paul McVeigh is doubtful with a knee injury.

Wexford Youths v Cork City, Ferrycarrig Park, 7.45pm

Cork City: Darren Dennehy is suspended, having received a second game suspension for his sending off against Limerick, but Kevin Murray is expected to feature following a spell on the sidelines with a groin injury. Denis Behan picked up a knee injury against Bray and will definitely miss out, as will Gearóid Morrissey who has been struggling with a back injury. Neal Horgan remains sidelined with a knee injury, while Dan Murray and Danny Murphy are also set to miss out.

Bohemians v Bray Wanderers, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm

Awaiting team news

Salthill Devon v St. Patrick's Athletic, Drom Soccer Park, 7.45pm

Awaiting team news