Sligo Rovers -v- Pike Rovers
Credit:
Sligo Rovers lifted the FAI Cup last November with a memorable win on penalties over Shamrock Rovers. Paul Cook’s men tonight get their 2011 FAI Cup campaign underway with a home tie against Limerick District League winners Pike Rovers at the Showgrounds.
The Bit O’Red are, as expected, overwhelming favourites with the bookmakers to make easy work of this game, but Cook won’t be underestimating Pike Rovers.
“We respect every team we play and that will be the case on Friday,” said Cook. “Any team that wins honours, like Pike Rovers have done, are a good side. They won the FAI Junior Cup recently and that shows they are a successful team.”
Sligo go into this game off the back of a hard fought win against Dundalk in the Airtricity League last Monday night and Cook was rightly pleased with his side. “We had a good win against Dundalk the other night, we fought hard and got the right result and we’ll aim to do that again against Pike Rovers.”
Pike Rovers, meanwhile, go into this full of confidence, having booked their place in the final of the Lawson Cup with a comprehensive 8-1 victory over Shannon on Sunday last.
Luckily for Pike Rovers, Sligo’s Joey Ndo will miss the game through injury. However, even without Ndo, it’s hard to see the visitors leaving the Showgrounds with anything other than a defeat.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Joseph Ndo.
Doubtful:None.
Suspended:None.
Pike Rovers
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Unavailable.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Paddy Power Odds: Sligo Rovers 1/16; Draw 7/1; Pike Rovers 25/1.
Extratime prediction: Sligo Rovers 5-1 Pike Rovers.
The Bit O’Red are, as expected, overwhelming favourites with the bookmakers to make easy work of this game, but Cook won’t be underestimating Pike Rovers.
“We respect every team we play and that will be the case on Friday,” said Cook. “Any team that wins honours, like Pike Rovers have done, are a good side. They won the FAI Junior Cup recently and that shows they are a successful team.”
Sligo go into this game off the back of a hard fought win against Dundalk in the Airtricity League last Monday night and Cook was rightly pleased with his side. “We had a good win against Dundalk the other night, we fought hard and got the right result and we’ll aim to do that again against Pike Rovers.”
Pike Rovers, meanwhile, go into this full of confidence, having booked their place in the final of the Lawson Cup with a comprehensive 8-1 victory over Shannon on Sunday last.
Luckily for Pike Rovers, Sligo’s Joey Ndo will miss the game through injury. However, even without Ndo, it’s hard to see the visitors leaving the Showgrounds with anything other than a defeat.
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Joseph Ndo.
Doubtful:None.
Suspended:None.
Pike Rovers
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: Unavailable.
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
Paddy Power Odds: Sligo Rovers 1/16; Draw 7/1; Pike Rovers 25/1.
Extratime prediction: Sligo Rovers 5-1 Pike Rovers.
About Cathal Breathnach
Cathal Breathnach is one of Extratime.ie's Dublin reporters. Since joining the site back in 2010, Cathal has had the privilege of interviewing a number of Irish internationals including Robbie Keane and Shane Long and was … View Full Profile