FAI Cup Preview: Dundalk -v- Sligo Rovers

• Tom O'Connor
• Thu, Sep 10 2015




DUNDALK

In the FAI Cup the Lilywhites haven't been successful of late - failing to trouble the engraver since 2002. Dundalk have rotated their team for cup games this season with fringe players often getting a chance to prove their worth, in big wins over Shelbourne and Galway United, and the management may choose to continue with this policy.

 

But it certainly doesn't mean that the Oriel Park men are taking the competition lightly as speaking with ExtraTime.ie after last week's draw, Andy Boyle claimed "We'll prepare this week as we would for any other game".

 

He developed this thought by admitting, "Playing in the Aviva would be a massive thing for us all as a group of players".

 

While Stephen Kenny may give the like of cup goalkeeper Gabriel Sava a starting berth, wholesale changes are limited with the fact that his casualty list this week includes Stephen O Donnell through suspension (though he is also suffering from a broken nose) and possibly Sean Maguire after international duty with the Republic Of Ireland under 21s.

 

Add to this the fact that Dundalk were recently eliminated from the EA Sports Cup on penalties unexpectedly by Galway United and the chances are that the Carrick Road supremo will field a strong side. Kenny has only won the FAI Cup once- with Derry City in 2006- and would surely love to complete a league and FAI Cup double for the first time in his career.

 

It is the fourteenth time the sides have been paired together in the competition with Dundalk winning the most recent encounter 3-0 in the First Round last season. Dundalk have won the FAI Cup a total of nine times, while Sligo Rovers have raised the trophy five times in total.

 

The smart money would be on Dundalk to progress and continue on their journey for a tenth success just a year after celebrating their tenth league triumph. But Sligo proved last week that they are no pushovers and may provide the Louthmen with their sternest match in the competition so far.

 

SLIGO ROVERS

Micky Adams marches his troops into the Carrick Road venue on Friday for their Daily Mail FAI Cup Quarter-Final clash six days after sharing four goals in an enthralling league game at the same venue last Saturday night.

 

The Bit O' Red will be buoyed by the fact that they more than matched the champions in that encounter and were one of the few teams this season to trouble Dundalk with an expansive passing game aimed at isolating the excellent Myrie Willams in positions where he could attack Dundalk's full backs.

 

The ex-Leicester City boss expanded on this tactic when talking to ExtraTime.ie following the league draw on Saturday evening.

 

"We tried to use the width more than anything, we like to get crosses into the box when we can and that's why we play people like Jennison Myrie Williams."

 

Dundalk are the first Premier Division side to face the men from the west in the competition following wins over non-league opposition in the previous rounds and Friday's tie sees two returnees to the squad as John Russell's suspension is served and Sander Puri has returned from international duty with Estonia.

 

While the league is the undoubted priority for the club, Adams reiterated that whatever team he picks will "play with no fear, we want to show our potential" yet conceded that Dundalk are "the best side I've seen in Ireland and that's why they're winning the league". 

 

The match is live on RTÉ Two television with a kick off time of 7.25pm.

 

Referee: Tomás Connolly



MATCH STATS

Dundalk have only conceded one goal in domestic cup competitions this season-away to Galway United in the previous round of the FAI Cup
 

The last time Sligo Rovers won the FAI Cup (2013) current Lilywhite Gary Rogers was part of their squad while current Bit O' Red midfielder Keith Ward was at the Oriel Park club.


Sligo Rovers have appeared in four FAI Cup finals since 2009 and have only lost once- 2009, while winning in 2010, 2011 and 2013.  In the last five seasons Sligo Rovers have either won the cup or been knocked out in the first round.(3 wins, 2 first round exits)


Dundalk's previous four appearances in the FAI Cup final were 1987 (runners up), 1988 (winners), 1993 (runners up) and 2002 (winners)
 

ROAD TO THE QUARTER-FINAL

Round of 32

Dundalk 5 Shelbourne 0 (Robinson OG, Kelly, Byrne, Towell, Finn)

Sligo Rovers 2 Crumlin United 0 (Corcoran, Cawley)

Round of 16

Galway Utd 1 Dundalk 4 (Jake Keegan- Gartland, Barrett, Gannon, Towell)

Cobh Wanderers 0 Sligo Rovers 4 (Corcoran x2, Cawley, Cretaro)

 

BETTING

Dundalk 2/5 Draw 10/3 Sligo Rovers 11/2
 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 3 – 1 Sligo Rovers


Dundalk

Suspended- Stephen O'Donnell (1 match), Graham Byrne (Fitness Coach- 1 match)

Injured- None

Doubtful- None

 

Sligo Rovers

Suspended- Alan Rogers (Assistant Manager- 3 match ban)

Injured- Jeff Henderson, Kevin Devaney (both long term absentees)

Doubtful- None