FAI Cup Preview: Drogheda United -v- Avondale United

DROGHEDA UNITED

Drogheda United turn their attentions to cup action on Friday evening as they host Munster Senior League side Avondale United at United Park (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Tim Clancy’s side head into this game sitting second in the First Division, level on points with Longford Town, with both sides five points behind leaders Shelbourne with four games to play.

The Boynesiders are unbeaten in their last three, having beat Limerick 4-1 and Galway United 3-1, both away from home either side of a 0-0 draw with promotion rivals Cabinteely.

Drogheda reached the second round of the FAI Cup last season, beating Shamrock Rovers 1-0 at United Park in the First Round before a fourth minute Bastien Hery strike was enough to send Waterford through in the second-round tie.

In team news, Tim Clancy may have a number of players back available with defenders Luke Gallagher and James Brown, midfielder Mark Hughes and winger Adam Wixted all in contention for a return to action following injuries.

AVONDALE UNITED

Avondale United make the long trip from Cork to Drogheda on Friday as they face First Division side Drogheda United in the first round of the FAI Cup.

The Munster Senior League side are at the beginning of their season heading into the tie but are coming into the game off the back of a cup treble winning season.

Avondale won the Keane Cup, thanks to a 2-1 win over Cobh Wanderers at Turners Cross before winning the Beamish Senior Cup at the same venue, this time with a 4-3 win over UCC in extratime.

However, the biggest victory for Avondale came in May at the Aviva Stadium, as Mark O’Sullivan’s first half strike was enough for Avondale to lift their seventh FAI Intermediate Cup in fourteen years with a 1-0 win over Crumlin United.

In team news, Avondale will be without Eoghan Lougheed who sustained a serious leg injury in a recent pre-season friendly against Cork City U19 side.

Referee: Alan Patchell

MATCH STATS

Avondale beat Newtown Rangers 4-3 in extratime to make it through to the first round of this FAI Cup this season.

Drogheda have won the FAI Cup once, beating Cork City 2-0 in the 2005 final at Lansdowne Road with goals scored by Gavin Whelan and Declan O’Brien.

BETTING

Drogheda United 1/6; Draw 9/2; Avondale United 12/1.

PREDICTION

Drogheda United 3 - 1 Avondale United

Drogheda United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Adam Wixted, Luke Gallagher, Mark Hughes, James Brown.

Suspended: None.

Avondale United

Injured: Eoghan Lougheed.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.