St Patrick's Athletic -v- Sligo Rovers

• P.J. Murray
• Fri, Aug 20 2010


A cracking game is expected at Richmond Park as EA Sports cup finalists Sligo Rovers travel to Dublin to take on St Pats side who will still feel they can be League Champions.

Rovers talisman Padraig Amond put two past Shamrock Rovers to secure the Bit O’Red’s second cup final appearance in as many seasons while Pats were humbled at the Carlisle grounds against an un-fancied Bray side.

The Bit o' Red are aiming for a sixth win in-a-row in all competitions. St Pat's have beaten Rovers three times already this season in league and cup action but Paul Cook's side claimed a 4-1 victory in the EA Sports Cup quarter-final against the Saints.

Pats manager Pete Mahon has been handed a boost in the build up to the match as influential winger Ryan Guy returns from suspension. however doubts remain over Paul Byrne and Damian Lynch who are both struggling with ankle injuries. Midfielder Brian Cash, a former Sligo player, has returned to full training following a leg injury.

Speaking ahead of the tie Mahon said “I travelled down to watch Sligo play Shamrock Rovers in mid-week and they were very impressive. As a team they’ve got better as the season has gone on and are probably the best side in the league at the moment.”

The Dubliner feels that Sligo will hold no surprises for the Inchicore side and that they have moved on from last week’s result.

“Bray was a disappointing result but we’ve moved on and put last week’s game behind us. We’ve been in the top two for most of the season, we’re still in second, but we know we’ll really have to be up for this one.

We’ve played Sligo 4 or 5 times already this season so the players and management know each other pretty well at this stage. It’s all set up for a great game, there was a great atmosphere at the Showgrounds on Tuesday and hopefully we can match that on Friday night at Richmond Park”

Sligo boss Paul Cook will be without Joesph N'do as he is struggling with a calf problem and having missed the EA Sports Cup victory over Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday, the Cameroon international faces a race against time to be fit for this game.

John Russell returns from a head injury but Mauro Almeida and Richard Brush will miss the rest of the season because of Achillies and wrist complaints. paddypower.com odds: St Pats Draw Sligo Rovers >Venue: Richmond Park > >St Pats: >Doubtful: Paul Byrne, Damian Lynch. >Injured: None. >Suspended:None. > >Sligo Rovers: >Doubtful: Joseph N’Do. >Injured: Mauro Almedia, Richard Brush. >Suspended: None. > >Extratime,ie Prediction: St Pats to win 3-2.