FAI Cup Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Cork City

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints are more than determined to add to their EA Sports Cup success as they host Cork City at Richmond Park on Sunday afternoon (kick off 3.55pm) for a place in the FAI Senior Cup Final.

This is the biggest game of the season for St. Pats. They will be hoping to continue their good recent form in the cups and also add to their recent League Cup success.

Winning the FAI Cup would also carry greater meaning for Pats as it is now realistically their only chance of qualifying for Europe next season.

The importance of winning this particular competition could be seen by the comments of club captain Ger O’Brien when speaking during the week at the FIFA 17 SSE Airtricity League of Ireland Club Pack launch at the venue for next month’s cup final.

“Who’ll remember a League Cup winning season?” asked O’Brien. “I’m not knocking the trophy. I’m proud to have won it but fans and players want League titles and FAI Cups. We want more.”

In attack the Saints are capable of causing any side in Ireland problems and most teams would crave for a forward with the goal scoring abilities of the likes of  Christy Fagan. Meanwhile Billy Dennehy’s pace is also one of their main threats going forward, as the Kerryman will be seeking to do some damage against his former club.

Sean Hoare will be also keen to end what has been a brilliant week for him already personally, after he was called up to Noel King’s Ireland U21 squad for the upcoming qualifier with Serbia.

If the home tear are to beat a well drilled attack focused Cork side, they themselves will have to put probably their most resolute performance of the season.

Liam Buckley will be hoping the Saints fans come out in force to make sure that Richmond Park is rocking throughout Sunday afternoon.

"The FAI Cup has been a great competition to both sides over the last few years so again one of us are going to be back in the Aviva next month,” Saints boss Buckley told stpatsfc.com.

“Cork have been going well lately and have impressed in league, cup and in Europe so we know it's going to be a tough game. "It would be great from our side of things to get back to the Aviva. We've great memories of winning in 2014 and it would be great to make more of our own history again."

CORK CITY

The Leesiders will be hoping to make it to the Aviva Stadium decider for the second year in a row, when they make the trip to Dublin to face Liam Buckley’s charges on Sunday afternoon.

After losing to Dundalk in last year’s final, City will be sure to use that as motivation to go one step further this time around. Cork would love nothing more than to make up for the disappointment and heartbreak from last season of losing to double champions Dundalk.

City are coming into Sunday’s game away to St. Patrick’s Athletic in a very good run of form. After a slump following their Europa League exit, John Caulfield’s side have been in impressive form and they have timed their good run to perfection.

That is especially the case when you take into consideration the fact that City have two games in the next ten days which will effectively decide their season, with a crunch away league game against Dundalk to come along with this particular clash on Sunday.

The Leesiders have shown in recent months that they can put in some of their best displays away from home, none more so than their FAI Cup quarter-final 5-0 dismantling of Shamrock Rovers in Tallaght.

They have been finding the back of the net on a regular basis in recent weeks, with their most recent win coming in a 5-3 home contest against Galway United.

Sean Maguire has been in sensational form and his clinical instincts in front of goal will be crucial to his side over the coming weeks.

Speaking at the club’s pre match press conference ahead of Sunday’s clash, City boss Caulfield is anticipating another big game.

“St. Pats won the FAI Cup two years ago and they have won back-to-back EA Sports Cups. So they have that bit of pedigree when it comes to knock out football. And they have a wily manager in Liam Buckley as well.”

Cork will be without long term absentees Alan Smith and John Dunleavy. Meanwhile Dave Mulcahy will also not be available for selection as he is cup tied. Kevin O’Connor is City’s only main injury doubt ahead of the clash, due to a knee issue.

Referee:      Robert Harvey.

MATCH STATS

If Cork City reach the final, it will be the first time that they have made in to successive cup finals in the club’s history.

St. Pats beat another Cork based side to set up this semi final with City, after overcoming the challenge posed by First Division side Cobh Ramblers, on a 3-2 scoreline.

Kenny Browne and Greg Bolger have already won a league and a cup with St. Pats in the past. This year though they will be seeking to play a big role in bringing silverware back to Leeside.

BETTING

St. Patrick’s Athletic   5/1; Draw  11/4; Cork City  1/2 .   

PREDICTION

St Patricks Athletic 1-2 Cork City.

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: David Cawley (Collarbone), Keith Treacy (Hamstring), Jack Bayly.

Doubtful:   Conor O’Malley.

Suspended:  None.

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy, Alan Smith.

Doubtful:  Kevin O'Connor

Suspended:  None

Cup Tied: Dave Mulcahy.