Saint Patrick's Athletic vs. Sporting Fingal
Credit:
Premier Division Saint Patrick’s Athletic and First Division Sporting Fingal do battle once again for a place in the semi-finals of this year’s FAI Ford Cup when the pair meet in a last eight replay at Richmond Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm). A fortnight since the first encounter, the Saints have squeezed this tie into a busy schedule, with both sides’ league games set for this weekend being postponed as a result.
A rip-roaring and seesaw ninety minutes of football couldn’t separate the two in the first game as, after both teams held the lead once, they ended deadlocked at 3-3. Pats have been finding it difficult trying to juggle four competitions in recent times. However, despite the distraction of next Tuesday’s UEFA Cup second leg against Hertha Berlin, boss Johnny McDonnell is fully focussed on this match as the club are without an FAI Cup success since 1961.
“With a place in the FAI Cup semi-finals at stake, it’s a big game for both teams,” McDonnell admitted. “We let it slip in the first game conceding a goal in the last minute which was disappointing, but playing at home, I‘d like to think that Sporting Fingal have had their chance. Hopefully, we’ll get the result, push on from there and see where that leaves us in the Cup.”
Sporting Fingal manager Liam Buckley, meanwhile, looks likely to go all-out attack, as his side’s promotion hopes now seem dead and buried as they currently lie eight points behind leaders Dundalk. “We played quite well in the first match, went two goals ahead, and deserved to get a draw in the end,” he said. “Inchicore is a nice, tidy venue and the players are excited about this opportunity of facing Pat’s again. Winning the game is very achievable, once we keep our concentration and play to our strengths.
“We’re still in the mix (for promotion) but we can’t afford many more slip-ups. At this stage of the season, it’s great to be still involved in the Cup and the chase for the First Division title.”
Team News: Saint Patrick’s Athletic must plan without central defender Jason Gavin and left winger Derek O’Brien as the pair are cup-tied. McDonnell is also set to be without Stephen Paisley (groin), John Murphy (back), David Partridge and Bobby Ryan (both shoulder) but Damien Lynch should be fit despite picking up a knock against Derry City on Tuesday evening. Visitors Sporting Fingal, meanwhile, are without a key quartet for the game. Top scorer Robbie Doyle is suspended having been sent-off in the first game, centre-half Barry Ferguson is cup-tied and goalkeeper Brendan Clarke and left-back John Frost are both unavailable due to the terms of their loan agreement, as they were signed from the Saints in the July transfer window. Brian Kelly, however, has recovered from a long-term back injury and could take his place at left full, while central midfielder Jim Crawford has responded well to treatment on a knee complaint.
Extratime.ie Prediction: In truth, this should be a comfortable win for the hosts against a depleted Fingal team that is already low on confidence. 3-0 home win.
