FAI Cup Replay Preview: Athlone Town -v- Sheriff YC

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Sun, Aug 23 2015




Athlone do battle with Sheriff YC in their FAI Cup Third Round Replay on Monday night with the winners set to take on Longford Town in the Quarter Finals in September.

 

ATHLONE TOWN

Athlone would have preferred not to have to play their third game in a week when they welcome Sheriff to the midlands. Failure to see the game out last Friday night while twice in leading positions may be due to the sizable injury list that Alan Mathews has had to deal with in recent weeks.

 

Robbie Gaul is out for the season after suffering arguably one of the worst injuries in League of Ireland history as he has managed to break his leg, dislocate his ankle and then finally tear his ligaments. Marco Chindea is also definitely ruled out of this one with a broken foot, although the attacking player is said to be back in training and should be back on the football pitch in the next few weeks.

 

Brian Shortall has been out of action in recent weeks and is almost ready to make his return but this Cup tie could come a few days too early for the former UCD player.

 

Also on the doubtful list are Aidan Collins and Jamie O’Neill who have both struggled with hamstring and knee injuries respectively in recent weeks.

 

 

SHERIFF YC

Sheriff twice came from behind to secure a draw against their SSE Airtricity League First Division opponents last Friday night.

 

The home side had Stewart Glen and John Rock to thank as the home crowd witnessed what was a monumental day for the club.

 

The non-league side were dumped out of last years’ competition in June by a rampant Shamrock Rovers outfit who ran out four nil victors, therefore it is understandable that to get to this stage and be in with a real chance of going even further has boosted morale in the Dublin one club.

 

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

 

 

MATCH STATS

Athlone have not won the FAI Cup for 91 years while Sheriff have never won the senior version of the competition but they have won the Junior equivalent – most recently in June of 2013.

 

This is the only replay of the Third Round.

 

Sheriff beat UCD to get to this stage of the competition, while Athlone were made overcome Liffey Wanderers.

 

 

BETTING

Athlone Town evens; Draw 23/10; Sheriff YC 12/5.

 

PREDICTION

Athlone Town 2-1 Sheriff YC.

 

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Robbie Gaul (broken leg, dislocated ankle, torn ligaments), Marco Chindea (broken foot).

Doubtful: Aidan Collins (hamstring), Jamie O’Neill (knee), Brian Shortall.

Suspended: None.

 

Sheriff YC

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.