Credit: Extratime Team (ETPhotos)
FAI Cup Preview: Athlone Town -v- Shamrock Rovers
- Dave Donnelly
- Fri, Aug 19 2016
ATHLONE TOWN
The league's bottom side take a break from their First Division woes to welcome Shamrock Rovers to Lissywollen on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Colin Fortune's side have won just once in the league since April – a surprise 1-0 win over Shelbourne – but have had more success in the Cup, beating Letterkenny Rovers 1-0 in the previous round.
Fortune will be without long-term injured Craig Shortt and Tom O'Halloran, while Jack Quinn, Aidy Byrne and Claudio Silva are also missing.
Jason Lyons is available for selection after signing from Salthill Devon, while Jason Maloney is available despite his sending-off against Cobh last week.
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers arrive in Athlone buoyed by a 3-1 victory over Wexford Youths in the league at Tallaght Stadium on Monday.
Two losses, to St Patrick's Athletic in the EA Sports Cup semi-final and Sligo Rovers in the league, had dampened the good form shown since Stephen Bradley took over on a caretaker basis.
“We have to go out and respect Athlone,” Bradley told the club's website.
“We have to play the way we’ve been playing, with a good tempo and we have to have the right attitude. The winner goes into the quarter finals so we have to respect the game, but we’re always confident of getting the win. We know how important this game is.
“It’s everyone’s cup final when Rovers come to town, every player playing against Rovers wants to show that they can play for us, and want to impress us. To be fair, our lads have stood up to that and done very well.
“Every other player gives that extra 5 to 10% against us, I saw this happen as a player and now I’m seeing it again as a manager.”
Long-term absentee Luke Byrne remains sidelined, as is Sean Heaney, but Evan Osam is back in full training following a knee injury sustained in the off-season.
Killian Brennan is available for selection after overcoming a muscle injury.
Referee: Robert Harvey.
MATCH STATS
Shamrock Rovers are undefeated in the last 12 competitive meetings between the sides, dating back to the 1998 FAI Cup, when Athlone won 2-1 in the Second Round.
The sides have met once already this season, with the Hoops running out 3-0 winners in the EA Sports Cup at Tallaght Stadium.
The last time the sides met in the league, in 2014, the Hoops won home and away before the final encounter was drawn 1-1 in Athlone.
BETTING
Athlone Town 22/1; Draw 9/1; Shamrock Rovers 1/16.
PREDICTION
Athlone Town 0 - 3 Shamrock Rovers
Athlone Town
Injured: Craig Shortt, Tom O'Halloran, Jack Quinn, Aidy Byrne, Claudio Silva.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Luke Byrne, Sean Heaney, Evan Osam.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
