EA Semi - Bohemians -v- Sligo Rovers

• Gareth Penrose
• Mon, Aug 03 2009


The first of the EA Sports Cup semi-final takes place on Monday night (kick-off 19:45) as Bohemians welcome Sligo Rovers to Dalymount Park.

Bohemians will be looking to maintain their presence in all the domestic competitions this season, whilst Sligo Rovers will be looking to keep their season alive with a win over the current League leaders. The Bit’o’Red are 25 points behind Bohs in the league, three points away from the bottom of the table.

In their two matches in this competition, Bohs have faced First Division opposition. They had to go to extra-time to see off Shelbourne, featuring an impressive Paddy Madden, by four goals to three. In the quarter-final Bohs beat Wexford Youths 2-1 away with goals from Marc Hughes and Neale Fenn.

Sligo Rovers have also faced First Division teams so far, easily disposing of Finn Harps in the second round 4-1 in Sligo, and beating Sporting Fingal 1-0 away.

In the sides' two league games this season, Bohs won 2-0 at home, while the teams played out a scoreless draw at The Showgrounds.

Pat Fenlon will be without the services of striker Paddy Madden is cup-tied for Bohs, having represented Shelbourne in the competition already. Owen Heary has returned to training and is expected to be fit in time for this clash. Jason McGuinness is still suffering from a back injury, but may still be fit.

Fenlon has used the competition to gave first-team experience to youngsters. Ryan McEvoy, Marc Hughes, Lee Dixon, Shaun Byrne, Mark Nolan, Dean Marshall and John Hanney have all been given opportunities in the EA Sports Cup so far.

Sligo manager Paul Cook will be missing Eoin Doyle and Michael Mc Grath, who are both cup tied while Steve Feeney, Stephen Parkhouse and Richie Ryan are still out with injuries. No new injuries were picked up in the game against Galway.

Extratime.ie Prediction: Bohemians should have too much for Sligo, but the added factor of this being a semi final of the Cup makes it harder to call. Bohemians 2-1, possibly after Extratime.

Paddy Power betting: Bohemians are obvious favourites with the bookies. You can get Bohs at 4/11. A draw gets odds of 11/4. Sligo are a massive 15/2 for this game. Bohemians are outright favourites for to lift the cup at 8/15. Sligo Rovers are third favourites at odds of 4/1.