FAI Cup 3rd Round Preview – Friday’s fixtures

The third round of the FAI Cup got underway on Tuesday night, as Crumlin United drew 1-1 with neighbours Shelbourne at Tolka Park. The replay will be played Monday night at er... Tolka Park. However, the bulk of the action takes place tomorrow night, with seven games down for decision, while there are a further six to be played on Saturday night. The third round reaches completion on Sunday night as the two final games get underway.

Blarney United v Sporting Fingal
O’Shea Park in Tower is the venue as Sporting Fingal travel to Cork to play MSL outfit Blarney United. The Leesiders will be looking to cause a major upset and several first-teamers have LoI experience after a mass exodus from relegated Cobh Ramblers moved to Blarney. Fingal boss Liam Buckley knows that the game will be a potential banana skin, he said: “We know from experience how motivated non-leagues side are to take a scalp and this tie against Blarney is being given the respect it deserves by us. Shaun Maher, Philip Byrne and Stephen Paisely are all out as are strikers Gary O’Neill and Daniel Corcoran, while Robbie Doyle misses out through suspension.

Bohemians v Mayfield United
Current holders Bohemians welcome Mayfield United to Dalymount Park tomorrow night and anything other than a very convincing victory will make Pat Fenlon blush. Mayfield are in between seasons at present, and were promoted to the top tier of the Munster Senior League last term before beating Castlebar Celtic 3-2 in an entertaining clash at Mayfield Park. Conan Byrnes will be the key man for Mayfield, while they’ve some youthful back-up in 16-year-old Conor Sexton. Mayfield boss, Tadhg Walsh has described the tie as: "the biggest day in the club's history.” Bohs will be without the injured Joseph Ndo and Jason McGuiness is ruled out through suspension.

Bray Wanderers v Bluebell United
Bray will welcome the break from their horrid time in the league as they face non-league Bluebell United at home. Last year they were beaten in the quarter final by Galway United and the Seagulls will be hoping for a similar run in the cup. “It’s a big ask for part-timers to play three games in seven days especially when you have a small squad,” said Eddie Gormley, though he does expect an improved performance against Chris Deans is the only absentee for Bray. Leinster Senior League side Bluebell have advanced this far after beating St Peters in the first round before dispatching of Malahide United 2-1 to set up a meeting with the Seagulls.

Cork City v Sligo Rovers
Cork City have just one point from nine in the league despite an excellent eleven game unbeaten run throughout April and May, so the cup may come as a welcome distraction for Paul Doolin’s side. However, the former Drogheda boss believes this game against Sligo Rovers is as equally important as any league game. He said: “A lot of people refer to the cup as an opportunity to take a break from the league, but I do not see it quite like that. Every game we play is important, be it in the league or in the cup.” Doolin will be without Joe Gamble and Stephen O’Donnell who are suspended, while Robert Mezeckis and Davin O’Neill remain sidelined with injury. Romauld Boco returns from international duty with Benin, while Sean Doherty should feature for what is still a much depleted Sligo side.

Derry City v Ballymun United
Stephen Kenny is weary of the challenge LSL’s Ballymun United will bring to the Brandywell with them tomorrow night. “Ballymun deserve respect and are having a good season themselves so our attitude needs to be good if we are to progress,” says Kenny ahead of the game. He has several injury worries with Tam McManus, Liam Kearney, Barry Molloy, Thomas Stewart and Stephen Gray all missing out, though the second placed side in the Premier Division should have more than enough to beat Ballymun who progressed this far after beating Fanad United in a 2nd round replay.

Limerick v St Patrick’s Athletic
St Pat’s travel to Limerick tomorrow night with an air of confidence about them for the first time in a long while having beaten the champions so convincingly last week. “We had a great win on Friday and you’re always looking to build on a good performance like that and put a good run together. The cup is high on our priorities this year but every year brings cup upsets and we’ll need to approach the game with Limerick with caution,” said Saints boss Jeff Kenna during the week. He has to plan without. The 2006 runners-up will be without Darragh Ryan, Gareth O’Connor, Alan Cawley and Gints Freimans, while Gary Dempsey remains a long-term absentee. Limerick will be without Paul Cummins who broke his ankle during the victory against Athlone Town.

Mervue United v Dundalk
“The cup match is a welcome relief,” said struggling Dundalk boss Sean Connor. He’s probably right, because after this game, they return to league action with a bang as Cork City welcome them to Turner’s Cross with the Rebel Army needing a win. It’s probably best then that the Lilywhites focus their attention on Mervue, who incidentally are making their debut in the third round of the competition but have massive injury concerns according to manager Johnny Glynn. “We will again be without the seven lads who were missing last week,” he said. “Nigel Keady is still struggling to overcome the knee injury he picked up in the first game of the season, Mixy Harty is due back from his honeymoon at the weekend, Noel Mc Donnell is waiting to see a specialist next monday, whilst Mike Tierney and Ger Mc Grath have resumed light training and could be back for the Monaghan match. David O Dowd will be out for another 5 weeks after undergoing surgery last Monday on his cheek bone.”