Setanta Sports Cup Previews

The Setanta Cup re-launches again on the 1st of September with the clashes of Drogheda United vs. Dungannon Swifts and Cliftonville vs. Cork City. This group has been dominated by Eircom League clubs as Cork and Drogheda both have 7 points to Cliftonville and Dungannon’s single point.

In April, Drogheda United went to Stangmore Park and knocked four goals past the Swifts. Since then the Drogs have gone on an impressive European run, but have failed to recreate the league form of last year. Manager Paul Doolin has already conceded they will not retain their league crown. A tough game last weekend against Sligo Rovers will more than likely result in the absence of some key personnel.

With Dan Connor still out, manager Paul Doolin will be hoping Jamie Ewings is available, though a slight knock he picked up is unlikely to keep him out. Brian Shelley is doubtful, picking up a back injury, and he joins Shane Barrett on the sidelines. Adam Hughes also picked up a slight hamstring injury, but is expected to be fit, while Richie Baker may be available following a hamstring injury.

Paul Doolin said, "It was a tough game in Sligo on Saturday. It was very energy-sapping. Hopefully it won't have taken too much out of the team."

Cork City will be viewing the Setanta Cup as a way to earn some vital revenue for the club, whose fortunes have plummeted since their 2-0 home win over Cliftonville in April. Despite the sale of Dave Mooney to Reading, the club have been put into Examinership and defeats to Shamrock Rovers in the league and Wexford Youths in the League Cup, Alan Mathews will be desperate to get back to winning ways.

Mathews was in Belfast on Saturday to see the Reds lose 2-1 at the Oval against Glentoran, and speaking to CorkCityFC.ie, the City boss said that Monday’s opponents were unlucky not to have got more out of the game: “Cliftonville are a different team to the one we played in April, and they were very unlucky to lose today. They played nice football and on another day they could have gone in ahead at the break instead of drawing 1-1, which gave Glentoran the initiative. We are in a different place now to where we were the last time we played them, but we still have to step up to the plate, do our work and try to get the three points.”

Pat Sullivan was stretchered off in Friday’s 3-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers with a suspected broken ankle, but following an x-ray and initial assessment, it appears that there has not been a break but that the defender has suffered ligament damage. The injury will be further assessed over the coming days, but Sullivan aside, Mathews should have a full squad to choose from.