Setanta Cup Quarter-Final Previews

Drogheda United v Derry City

Drogheda United

Ahead of their Setanta Cup quarter-final first leg showdown at the Brandywell, Drogheda United have only one injury to worry about and are in buoyant mood.

Defender Alan McNally is still recovering following an operation and will remain out for the next month or so but aside from that, manager Mick Cooke has a full squad to choose from while Mick Daly is available for selection after his transfer received international clearance.

Confidence will be high in the United camp following their Jim Malone victory on penalties over Dundalk on January night and Cooke will be hoping this can carry over into another tournament.

He said: “We had a very good game against Dundalk on Friday and I used the opportunity to give most of the players a run out while still keeping them fresh for the Setanta Cup.

“In fact, I made 10 substitutions at Oriel Park so everyone is well prepared and keen to prove themselves at the Brandywell and new signings Mick Daly and Dean Gaynor have slotted into the squad well.”

Although they will be confident, the man in charge is also expecting a tough test against the Candystripes.

“I expect a very competitive game in Derry and I am looking forward to it,” said Cooke. “Declan Devine has brought in some good players and, as reigning FAI Cup champions, I believe Derry will be formidable opposition not only in the Setanta Cup but in the league and other competitions too.”

Derry City

Reigning FAI Cup holders Derry City welcome Drogheda United on Monday night in the first leg of the Setanta Cup quarter-final, hoping to take another step on the road to another potential trophy in 2013.

The Candystripes got to the final of this tournament last season but came up short in the end by losing to Crusaders on penalty kicks.

Manager Declan Devine hopes that this will stand them in good stead for this season but acknowledges they are in for a difficult game against the Louth outfit.

“We had a very successful run in the Setanta Sports Cup last season and it is a tournament we want to do well in again this year and the road to achieving this starts on Monday night,” stated Devine.

“This will be an exciting start to the season with the league starting soon too but we must focus on Monday night’s game first. I feel that Mick Cooke had a very good squad last season and have added players like Paul O’Conor and Graham Rusk so will be very difficult to beat.”

The cup-winning boss also said that he knows home advantage will be crucial and hopes his side capitalise on this in the first leg.

He said: “The most important thing is that we use the home advantage in the first leg so that we can go to Hunky Dorys Park and still be in the tie and with this being a difficult and exciting start to the season, we will need to call upon our squad as a whole.”

One of the members of this squad, new signing Patrick Kavanagh, is also relishing the task of getting the season underway on Monday night.

“I'm really looking forward to the new season, it always gives you a lift starting out with a new club and I'm happy that the move to Derry has eventually happened this season. It's great to be part of a squad that will be competing in five competitions and this was one of the reasons I came to the Brandywell.

“We start with one of those competitions on Monday evening, and we are under no illusion that the task in front of us will be a tough one,” he continued.

“With Drogheda United already having two games in the competitions under their belt, you would feel that they would be a little bit sharper as far as match fitness is concerned. Having said that, we have had a good pre-season and we should be able to cope with what they will throw at us and hopefully progress to the next round."

Fellow new signing Michael Rafter, who arrived from Dundalk, is also equally looking forward to the season getting underway and says his side are full of confidence going into the clash.

“I'm really looking forward to getting the season started now. We have had a long and tough pre-season with little match action compared to the other clubs in the league,” Rafter said. “We all know how good a season Drogheda had last year, and the fact that they have built on that will make this a good test for us but we're all looking forward to it and are feeling very confident."

Derry go into the game without the suspended Barry Molloy while Michael Duffy and Sean Houston will both miss out through injury.

Sligo Rovers v Glentoran

Sligo Rovers take to the Showground tomorrow night against Glentoran in the Setanta Cup quarter-final first leg hungry to get the season underway.

The League of Ireland champions faced Glentoran at this stage last season and beat them 3-1 on aggregate before being beaten by Crusaders and manager Ian Baraclough is wary of the undoubted threat they pose.

He said: “We’ve come through the pre-season quite well and at this stage there is a real sense of excitement to get the season underway. There was a buzz in training and there is a lot of intrigue and a good level of interest amongst the supporters to see the lads in action and get our season underway.

“Glentoran are a physical, hard-working and talented side and the result against St Patrick’s Athletic showed what type of proposition they provide,” Baraclough continued. “It is a bit of a strange one in that they played on Saturday in their domestic cup and the team we may see on Monday could be as we expect or that bit different.”

The Bit o’ Red boss also says that due to the hectic start to the season, he will have to utilise the depth of his squad to the best of their ability.

“There are two matches in four days for ourselves and seven in 28 days in this beginning of the season. That will test any squad and over that month the entire group will be needed."

Not all of the group are available for use at the Showgrounds on Monday though as striker Danny North is sidelined with a knee problem and Seamus Conneely has just missed out on being fit to appear.

Full-back Iarfhlaith Davoren has won his fitness battle and is in the squad although may not be fit enough to start while new arrivals Evan McMillan, Anthony Elding and the returning Aaron Greene are all available.

Shamrock Rovers v Linfield

Irish football’s two most successful clubs meet in Tallaght on Monday night in the quarter-finals of the Setanta Cup when Shamrock Rovers take on Linfield.

This is the first time in 29 years that the clubs have met and manager Trevor Croly is excited about the challenge.

“I’m really looking forward to the game, as I’m sure everyone involved is too. It’s always good to be involved in big games like this; the players trained hard during the week and did again this morning (Sunday) and they’re raring to go. We feel very well prepared,” Croly said.

“Usually at this stage it’s all about getting ready for the first league fixture, but this game is a big, meaningful one in itself. That’s excellent for us and exactly what we need and want.”

The Hoops have little or no injury worries to speak of after Gary McCabe has recovered from a bug while Mark Quigley should pull through following a calf problem.

Tickets for this clash will be available outside the ground and are priced at €15 for adults, €10 for senior citizens and students and €7 for children.