EA SPORTS Cup First Round Previews

The final four games of the EA Sports Cup take place on Monday night as four sides look to book their place in the next round.

Action kicked off last weekend as Cockhill Celtic fell to a 2-1 loss against Mervue United and Finn Harps disposed of a Mayo League side 4-1.

Athlone Town v Longford Town, Athlone Town Stadium, 7.45pm

Lisseywoolen plays host to the first Midlands derby of the season when Athlone Town meet Longford with a place in the next round of the EA Sports Cup at stake.

The away side thrashed Salthill Devon 5-0 on league duty on Friday night while Roddy Collins’ side were held to a 0-0 draw against Mervue United.

Bohemians v UCD, Dalymount Park, 7:45pm

This clash is a repeat of the League of Ireland opener that took place this past Friday in which the Gypsies emerged with a 2-1 win.

They were playing much of the game against a 10-man UCD team after Mark Langtry’s early red card and another close encounter is to be expected.

Students boss Martin Russell says his side are out to advance in this tournament and will be making some changes to the side which played against Bohs on Friday.

He stated: “The league cup is a competition that we want to do well in, after advancing in the Leinster Senior Cup in Dalymount a couple of weeks ago we will be hoping to do the same on Monday night.

“We will have to make some changes but the players coming in with be eager to do well and like Friday night I think it will be a good game.”

Central defender Tomas Boyle echoed the thoughts of the man in charge and says they will be out to make up for the result in their last meeting.

“We are looking forward to the game as it gives us a chance to make amends for the defeat on Friday. It would be great for the club to get a good run in the cup,” he said.

“Competition is huge among the squad so all the lads will be wanting to make an impression in the game.”

Boyle also believes it will be tough coping with two games in four games and says that the side may have to call upon some of the younger players.

“It will be physically tough playing two games so close together but we have a fit bunch of lads after a good pre season and it is the same for Bohs. After Friday’s game there may be one of two knocks but we have the players to come in and make the difference.”

He added: “With the U19s doing so well I’m sure some of them can make the step up and contribute like they have already shown in the Leinster Senior Cup.”

Gareth Matthews returns for UCD following suspension but Barry McCabe and Mick Leahy miss out through injury.

Dundalk v Shelbourne, Oriel Park, 7:45pm

Dundalk got the Stephen Kenny era off to a good start at home last week by holding Shamrock Rovers to a 0-0 draw.

They will be looking to see of the threat of Shelbourne who were beaten 1-0 by Bray Wanderers and these sides will meet again later this week in the league at Tolka Park.

The Reds advanced to the second round of this tournament last year before being eliminated by the Seagulls AET having already overcome Mervue United.

Alan Mathews has a fully-fit squad to choose from aside from midfielder Glenn Cronin who will undergo a late fitness test before it is decided whether or not he will line out for this one.

Shels were unbeaten against the Lilywhites in 2012, with two wins and a draw to their name in three meetings.

Waterford United v Cobh Ramblers, RSC, 7:45pm

Cobh Ramblers announced their return to the First Division last week by thrashing Wexford Youths 5-0 on Saturday, a perfect confidence booster ahead of their trip to RSC.

Waterford kicked off their campaign with a 1-1 draw against Finn Harps in a game that Peter White missed out on with flu but he is expected to make his return to the side in the EA Sports Cup.

Seamus Long will also return for the hosts having served a suspension however Peter Keegan remains on the long term injury list.

Ahead of their first meeting since 2007 (which the county Cork side won 2-1), manager Paul O’Brien said he is happy with how the side performed against Finn Harps in their first league clash.

“I've just come from the dressing room and the lads feel like they have lost the game because their equaliser came so late but I am happy enough," he said. "I suppose Harps did deserve a draw because they played very well in the second half. This was the first game of the season and I saw lot of things that pleased me."

O’Brien continued: "We had some new players out there tonight. Gavin Kavanagh did very well as indeed did Vinny [Sullivan] and Paudie [Quinn].

"Our midfield players worked hard and our defence coped well until the last minute of the game.

"On another night [our strikers] would have done better but look, overall I thought we were decent enough considering it was our first game of the season."