Preview: Kildrum Tigers vs Sligo Rovers

DRY Arch Park, Bonagee in Letterkenny, Co.Donegal provides the humble surroundings today for a David v Goliath eircom League of Ireland Cup tie as Ulster Senior League Champions Kildrum Tigers host Premier Division Sligo Rovers (kick-off 4.00pm).

The local Intermediate side will be buoyed on by a big home following at Dry Arch Park, although they have been stung with a number of set backs in the build-up - not least the fact that their own abode at Station Road Park in St Johnston (a ground on which they are always tenacious opposition) did not fall in line with FAI requirements.

Fellow USL club Bonagee United stepped in with their home and it is Dry Arch Park that hosts today’s novel pairing with Kildrum and manager Raymond McDaid hoping to cause an upset, despite the absence of two key players.

Centre-back Paul Lynch and wide player Garrett Callaghan (a former Finn Harps player) are both absent due to pre-planned holidays, while the signings of two players seen as ideal replacements - Russell Porter (Limavady United) and Damien Liddy (Ardmore FC) - became embroiled in the red mist that surrounds the USL’s switch to summer football this term.

"It's unfortunate the way things have fallen into place," lamented the Kildrum boss. "We had expected to have a couple of other lads on board, but with this move from winter to summer soccer and the problems with transfers, we have since learned that they cannot play. We were under the impression that they'd be fine."

The move in seasons brings other problems as the game represents only the second competitive outing of the campaign for McDaid and company. A 4-1 win over Whitestrand United a couple of weeks ago in the Knockalla Cup has been their only serious game since they completed season 2007 - the new term kicks off this coming Sunday afternoon.

"I think that this game has come maybe three or four weeks early,” said McDaid. We're only training a month and have played the one competitive game at this stage. We had a bit of confusion over the timing of the match and two of the lads had planned holidays and they cannot get out of them with the league about to start in a fortnight.”

Despite the absentees, Kildrum do have considerable firepower in their ranks and they can boast their trump card that is the scoring ace in Donegal, Ronan Coyle, who will undoubtedly hold the key if the St Johnston side are to cause an upset.

With the likes of team captain Glen Bovaird (Omagh Town), Mark Callaghan (Finn Harps) and Darren McCready (Derry City) all having played senior football during their careers, Kildrum do have potential match-winners in their side.

“We have plenty of experience in our squad and quite a few of the lads have played senior football. We would be good enough and I am sure of that, but we just mightn’t be as sharp as Sligo and that’s why I feel that the game has come a few weeks early for us,” added McDaid.

Sligo Rovers and manager Paul Cook come into today’s game as the clear favourites, although they are looking for a first competitive win of 2008 having taken just one point from a possible nine in the League.

Promising young right-back Seamus Coleman is unavailable today as he is off on international duty, although there will still be considerable quality in the Rovers line-up today with Cook expected to name his strongest eleven.

"They're a very good side and although they didn't get a result against Bohemians, they deserved a draw. They had a bad start but came back well and in the end missed a good one-on-one,” explained McDaid, who was part of a Kildrum delegation that watched the 2-1 defeat to Bohemians on Friday night.

"They pass the ball very well and have a number of good players. It'll be difficult for us, no question, but as I said we just have to go out there and give it a good go against them. "We weren't too sure how seriously they would take us but after watching them I think they will be near enough full-strength. They're a better side than their league position shows and will be going all out for a first win of the season because they are away to UCD next Friday in Dublin."

With the FA Cup across the channel recently showing that Cup romance is not lost, the day for the underdog may not be consigned to the annals of history just yet. Today, Kildrum Tigers have their chance to write another memorable and unique chapter in the 60-year history of the St Johnston-based outfit.

Verdict: Sligo’s class to shine and the visitors to progress.