Home draw great recipe for Cooke

“Very happy with that” was the reaction of Drogheda United manager Mick Cooke to the news that his side will host Sligo Rovers in the EA Sports cup semi-final.

Speaking to ExtraTime.ie Cooke added, “The main thing is that we got home advantage, I am very confident of taking on any side when we were at home.”

Drogheda United are currently third in the league while Sligo top the table but Cooke feels that in 90 minutes of football anything can happen. The sides have already met in the league this season, co-incidentally the game was played in Drogheda and it was Sligo who were vicorious, leaving with a 3-1 win. 

“It’s a one off game and we all know what’s at stake, my lads will be up for this as I’m sure Sligo Rovers will be.

“They are the league leaders and they will be tough, Ian has added a lot more strength to his side and they are one of the best footballing sides in the country,” added the manager. But Cooke went on to push the importance of having the home advantage in the tie.  

The fact that Drogheda have been handed a home draw will not only be a boost to the team, but it will have a good financial impact for the club who are currently in the middle of a five week period without a home match.

“The chairman will be pleased with this and I’m sure the fans will relish another night at Hunky Dorys Park as it should be a great occasion for the club.”

The teams are scheduled to play in the Showgrounds the Saturday before the game and this should be brought forward to the Friday to make allowances for the semi-final which is provisionally scheduled for Monday the 6^th of August.

Mick Cooke’s last encounter with the Bit O’Red in the EA Sports Cup was when his Monaghan team travelled to the Showgrounds to challenge in the cup final.

“I travelled up there with Monaghan two years ago in the final of the cup, but we were beaten 1-0, so I know what it’s like to face Sligo in this competition.”

Although the manager laughed when 'revenge mission' was mentioned, he is merely focused on getting to the final. As for Drogheda’s chances in the cup, “Well it’s all down to two games now, if we can beat Sligo we are through to another one-off game and anything can happen."

Mick Cooke’s side have currently been out of action for eight days and when they take to the pitch on Sunday against St Pats at Richmond, the Boynesiders will be fifteen days without a competitive match but Cooke has said that his side are training hard in the meantime.

“It’s unfortunate that we have to go so long without a game but the lads are turning up to training and working hard. This extended break has also come at a bad time for us, we were on a good run and we wanted to continue that.

“But we are still in the transfer window and the players are looking to impress so our levels haven’t dropped at all.”

Speaking of the transfer window, Cooke confirmed the addition of two players to the Drogheda United ranks.

Michael Schlingerman joins from Athlone Town and a third ex-Monaghan player, Jason Marks, is added to the Boynesiders squad.

Former Mayo minor keeper, Schlingerman plied his trade with Sligo Rovers before moving to Athlone and now will join Trimble and Sava in the Drogheda goalkeeping department. Midfielder Marks came to Monaghan from Sporting Fingal and now will compete for a position in what is a very strong midfield in Drogheda.