Setanta Cup Quarter-Final Previews

When the Setanta Sports Cup returns to quarter-final action on Monday night, the Airtricity League sides will be looking to make it a last four clean sweep for the first time in the competition’s history.

Both Glentoran and Linfield will face uphill struggles if they are to progress though as both trail Sligo Rovers and Shamrock Rovers by large margins.

Drogheda United and Derry City meet at Hunky Dorys Park in a tie that is still finely balanced while Cork City have already advanced with victory over Crusaders.

Glentoran (0) v Sligo Rovers (5), The Oval, Belfast, 7.45pm.

Referee: Rob Rogers. Assistants: TBC , Wayne McDonnell. Fourth Official: Ross Dunlop

Glentoran have a massive ask ahead of them if they are to overturn a five goal first leg deficit to eliminate League of Ireland champions Sligo Rovers from the tournament.

They drew 0-0 away to Ballymena this past weekend in the Danske Bank Premiership while the Bit o’ Red got their title defence off to the best possible start, beating Derry City by a single goal.

The Showgrounds outfit will be looking to make a bit of history themselves by becoming the first time ever to reach the semi-final stage for the fourth consecutive time.

Early omens are good that they should manage this as only one side has ever came back to qualify from first leg defeat, that being Shamrock Rovers against Coleraine last season although the Glens have lost just once in their previous 10 home games.

The sides have only met on four previous occasions with Sligo coming out on top three times while the other ended in a 1-1 draw last year.

Iarfhlaith Davoren could join current squad members Raffaele Cretaro, Danny Ventre, Alan Keane, Joseph Ndo and Gavin Peers as players to have reached 100 Rovers appearances, his first of which came in this competition against Cliftonville on February 27^th 2010.

Should Anthony Elding score then he would become the first player to score in the first three games of the season since Paul McGee in the 1975/76 campaign.

Also, should Ian Baraclough’s men keep a clean sheet then it will be the first time in the history of the club that they have did so in the opening three games.

Drogheda United (1) v Derry City (1), Hunky Dory Park, Drogheda, 7.45pm

Referee: Dave McKeon, Assistants: Robert Clarke, S Rogers. Fourth Official: Paul Tuite

In the tie that guarantees at least one League of Ireland side in the final four of the Setanta Cup, it remains all to play for in Louth when Drogheda United host Derry City.

The Drogs have the narrow advantage thanks to their away goal at the Brandywell while neither side started the season as they would have wished, both beginning with losses on Friday night.

Candystripes boss Declan Devine was disappointed with that result and is hoping for better against United, saying: "It goes without saying we were all very disappointed with Friday night's result, but we must take the positives from the performance.

“We restricted the League Champions to very few chances during the 90 minutes and created a number of our own that on another day we would have put away. We have had a good training session this morning and have put Friday's result behind us as we look forward to tomorrow night's game against a very strong Drogheda side.”

He added: “We know that we must travel to Drogheda and get a least one goal to stay in the competition. Both sides are more than capable of scoring and if we get on the front foot early we will be more than capable of getting a positive result."

On the Derry injury list are Stewart Greacen and Stewart Houston with knee problems while Paddy Kavanagh is sidelined with hamstring troubles.

For the home side, the only absentee remains Alan McNally who is still out as he recuperates from a knee operation.

Manager Mick Cooke has also promised to utilise his squad for this encounter and says his side will be gunning for cup glory, especially following Friday’s defeat.

“It's a hectic four days for us, but that's what I have a big squad for. There will be some changes made to the team who played Friday night. Some of the lads will be getting a chance to impress me and push for a starting place on Friday night at home to Limerick,” said Cooke.

“Derry won't be easy, but I don't dear any team, especially at home. We view this as a competition we can win and I'll always try and win silverware, no matter what competition it is. 

“Pats are going to be a good side this year and of course it's disappointing to lose the opening game, but we lost on the opening night last season and look where we finished. My focus is firmly now on Monday night.”

Linfield (1) v Shamrock Rovers (4), Windsor Park, Belfast, 7.30pm. (Live on Setanta Sports)

Referee: Mervyn Smyth, Assistants: James Eakin, Paul Munn. Fourth Official:  Andrew Davey.

Shamrock Rovers go to Belfast with a healthy three goal lead although this tie could have been much closer were it not for Brian McFaul’s late penalty miss.

The Blues met Lisburn Distillery at Windsor Park on Saturday in league action but could only manage a draw, as did Rovers against Dundalk with themselves missing from the spot on that occasion, Gary McCabe failing to convert late on.

For the visitors, Conor Powell and Pat Sullivan will sit this clash out with suspensions while striker Mark Quigley is out with a calf injury.

Manager Trevor Croly spoke of the draw with Dundalk at Oriel Park and believes his side can take away positives from the game: “We could have easily gone away with the three points but it wasn’t to be on the night. We missed a penalty when Gary (McCabe) slipped and that was unfortunate.

“We played better in the second half but we didn’t play as well as we feel we can.  Whether that was to do with the pitch, I’m not making excuses, but it does have an effect on the game. We got a clean sheet and there were positives that we can take away from the match.”

Of the meeting with Linfield, Croly has no intention of defending their lead and says his side will travel north looking for victory.

“We are going to try and win the game. We want to win it and will be set up to do so.  We have trained and prepared to win the game so that is all that is in our minds.

“Linfield are a good team. They won’t have liked being beaten by us last week or only drawing at the weekend (1-1 at home to Lisburn Distillery), so there will be a reaction from their players, there always is.”