Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
Sporting Fingal -v- Drogheda United
- P.J. Murray
- Mon, Jul 19 2010
Monday night see’s European hopefuls Sporting Fingal host relegation battlers Drogheda United at Morton Stadium, kick off 7.45pm.
Fresh from their Portuguese trip Fingal who only landed in Dublin on Sunday will be looking to continue their three game unbeaten run in the league.
Drogheda will be more rested after their last game against Bohemians was abandoned at half time with the Boynesiders trailing the Gypsies 1-0.
A heartbreaking 95th minute goal robbed Liam Buckley’s men of a historic result in their first ever European match against a much fancied CS Marítimo in Madeira.
Speaking about his European adventure Buckley said: “We were all understandably disappointed not to take at least a draw in Madeira but the performance gave us confidence going into the second leg at Dalymount on Thursday. Also, having avoided the big guns in Friday’s draw for the third round, there’s even more reason to strive for the win to put us through.”
The hosts will be without several players who have picked up niggling injuries in Portugal One player certain to miss out on Monday is defender Colin Hawkins, who suffered two broken ribs during the second half on Thursday in only his second game since signing. He’ll be sidelined for a number of weeks. Gary O’Neill continues to be unavailable with groin trouble while Shane McFaul faces a fitness test on a hamstring strain. The game could mark the full debut of recent signing Ollie Cahill. The midfielder made a late substitute appearance in Madeira and may start against one of his former clubs.
Buckley has stated his intention to field a team capable of getting a result against the Boynesiders despite hosting Maritimo on Thursday night.
Drogheda manager Brian Donnelly will make the trip to Santry without the services of a number of players.
Jamie Harris, Darragh McNammara, Eric McGill and Peter McMahon are all out while Paul Crowley is a doubt. The Boynesiders have also lost the services of Garreth O’Connor who has returned to St Pats while Robbie Martin has left the club by mutual consent.
Speaking on the game Drogheda assistant manager Darius Kierans is remaining optimistic.
“Liam has been doing a great job with Fingal and they are certainly one of the better sides in the league. They put in a great performance in Europe and hopefully this will be the time to get them as they may have one eye on Thursday.
“We are down a few bodies, as we are every week, but we will go there with a positive attitude and I am confident that we can take something from the match.”
Venue: Morton Stadium
Sporting Fingal
Injured: Colin Hawkins, Gary O’Neill
Doubtful: Shane McFaul
Drogheda United
Injured: Jamie Harris, Darragh McNammara, Eric McGill, Peter McMahon
Doubtful: Paul Crowley
Paddypower.com Odds: Sporting Fingal 8/15, Draw 12/5, Drogheda United 5/1
Extratime.ie prediction: A high scoring draw
About P.J. Murray
P.J. generally covers Drogheda games at HD Park and can generally be found at any Dublin ground when of a loose end on a Friday night.