FAI Cup Preview: Sheriff YC -v- Athlone Town

AUL Premier A side Sheriff YC host Athlone Town on Friday evening at Clontarf Astro in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup. Kick-off 19:30pm.

SHERIFF YC

The non league side host Athlone on Friday evening with ambitions of reaching the quarter-finals for the first time, after reaching the third round for a third time.

In the previous round the Dublin 1 club accounted for SSE First Division high flyers UCD by defeating the Students 3-1 to secure their passage, and manager Alan Reilly expects another tough game from Friday’s opposition.

“You wouldn’t be taking Athlone lightly” he told Extratime.ie “I think the league form is wrong. I don’t think they should be where they are, they have a wealth of experience and youth in their side. Alan Mathews will have them well drilled and organised and that's going to be a big task and test for us on Friday, we’ll have to perform and be on our game to get a result on Friday.”

Despite having played just a single league game this season, a 4-0 victory over Grange Baldoyle - Reilly is hoping the break could be a pivotal factor against an Athlone side who will play their third game in seven days.

“I think we needed the rest and that the break was beneficial for us. We’re back four going into five weeks, we had a bit of a run in the Tommy Clements Cup where they all would have got game time. I’d like to think we’d be there abouts come Friday.”

With Friday’s game going to be decided by tight margins, Sheriff will be hoping to use the benefit of home advantage to help them negotiate a path into the next round.

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone Town head into Friday’s game with Sheriff on the back of two defeats with Alan Mathew’s side suffering defeats against UCD and Waterford United.

Mathews will be hoping that Friday’s break from league action will give his side the opportunity to build up some momentum when they travel to the AUL Premier A champions.

In the previous round, Athlone concurred another non-league side when they defeated FAI Junior Cup winners Liffey Wanderers 3-2, the second round was Athlone Town’s first FAI Cup victory since they defeated Kildare County in 2009.

On Friday evening, Athlone welcome back Derek Doyle from suspension - while both Daniel Purdy and top scorer Philip Gorman, who were both rested for Monday’s 3-1 defeat against UCD. Thomas Mulrooney who received a red card in Monday’s game will also be available for selection as his suspension is for the league only.

Match Referee: Robert Harvey.

MATCH STATS

Sheriff YC is making their third appearance in the third round of the FAI Cup since 2011.

Athlone’s victory over Liffey Wanderers was their first victory in the competition since 2009 and in 2013 they were eliminated by non-league side Bluebell United after losing a replay 3-2.

Athlone have failed to win a single one of their previous four league games, with their last win coming against First Division leaders Wexford Youths on the 24th of July.

BETTING

Sheriff YC 7/5; Draw 23/10; Athlone Town 8/5.

PREDICTION

Sheriff YC 3-2 Athlone Town.

Sheriff YC

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: Marco Chindea, Robbie Gaul.

Doubtful: Brian Shortall.

Suspended: None.