FAI Cup Preview: Dundalk - v - Shamrock Rovers

• Extratime Team
• Sun, Oct 01 2017




DUNDALK

Despite taking a point from Turner’s Cross last Monday, it is highly likely that Dundalk will no longer be league champions at the end of this season. Therefore, an FAI Cup success is likely to be the pinnacle of Dundalk’s season as they look on Sunday for a win over Shamrock Rovers to reach an Aviva decider against Cork City. The match is live on RTÉ Two television with a kick off time of 4.45pm.

 

Stephen Kenny’s men will have to overcome Shamrock Rovers for the second time in three Oriel Park encounters this season. Their recent EA Sports Cup success in Tallaght Stadium proved how potent the Dundalk are, with goals spread throughout the team.

 

Speaking to his club’s website regarding the semi-final encounter, Kenny acknowledged that the Hoops would provide a “very tough opposition” and that a win would have to be earned. “We are under no illusions about that”, he continued.

 

In their opening league encounter on the opening night of the season, the Lilywhites scored early goals before conceding a late consolation from Graham Burke.

 

While the Tallaght Stadium match saw the roles reversed with Niclas Vemmelund netting Dundalk’s only goal as Rovers won 2-1.

 

Gary Shaw’s strike following both sides’ respective European exits settled a flat game at Oriel Park, while the expansive game plan conjured up by the Dundalk backroom team was allowed to flourish in the second half of the EA Sports Cup Final following Aaron Bolger’s red card.

 

The last time the sides met in the FAI Cup was a September 2014 encounter which Shamrock Rovers won 2-1 victory in the replay following a goalless draw in the first encounter.

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Stephen Bradley marches his troops into the Carrick Road venue on Sunday for their Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup semi-final clash just over a fortnight after losing to the Lilywhites in the EA Sports Cup Final for the second time in four years.

 

The Tallaght based side will be buoyed by the fact that they more than matched the champions in their most recent league encounter at Oriel Park, recording a second league victory over the reigning champions, having already taken three points in the Tallaght Stadium encounter earlier in the season.

 

In the league tie at the Louth venue, Gary Shaw scored the winner and proved to be a very effective outlet at the top of the pitch while Roberto Lopes, Dave Webster and David McAllister ensured that Dundalk’s Mighty Macs- mssrs. Mc Eleney and Mc Millan- were kept at very close quarters.

 

Rovers have the ability to keep the potent Dundalk attack at bay and can trouble the Lilywhites’ defence with the attacking threat of in-form duo Brandon Miele and Trevor Clarke down the flanks.

 

Indeed, speaking to his club’s website, manager Stephen Bradley made reference to how well Clarke has performed for the club this season.

 

The Hoops Head Coach, speaking to the same source, talked about the fine margins between the sides this season, praised Dundalk for being a “top side” but insisted that they would be travelling to Oriel Park “to give them a game” and “hopefully we’ll come out on the right end.”

 

Referee: Neil Doyle



MATCH STATS

Dundalk have only conceded one goal in the Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup this season. That was away to Crumlin United in a 3-1 victory.

 

Shamrock Rovers have also recorded two clean sheets in their three FAI Cup games this season.

 

Shamrock Rovers have won the FAI Cup more than any other team in the competition’s history (24) while Dundalk have recorded 10 successes.


Dundalk's previous six appearances in the FAI Cup final were 1987 (runners up), 1988 (winners), 1993 (runners up), 2002 (winners), 2015 (winners) and 2016 (lost AET).

 

Shamrock Rovers’ last appearance in the final was in 2010.

 

ROAD TO THE SEMI-FINAL

 

Round of 32

Dundalk 4 Derry City 0 (Mountney x2, McMillan, Duffy)

Shamrock Rovers 1 Glenville 0 (Burke)

 

Round of 16

Crumlin Utd 1 Dundalk 3 (Donnelly - McMillan, Hoare, Kinsella)

Shelbourne 0 Shamrock Rovers 3 (Miele, Burke, Doona

 

Quarter Final

Dundalk 4 Drogheda Utd 0 (Duffy, D. Connolly, Gartland, McMillan)

Bluebell 2 Shamrock Rovers 4 (Seery, Strich - Miele x3, R. Connolly)

 

BETTING
Dundalk ½; Draw 3/1; Shamrock Rovers 6/1.
 

PREDICTION

Dundalk 2 Shamrock Rovers 1


Dundalk

Injured: None
Doubtful: John Mountney (hamstring), Dane Massey (knee), Steven Kinsella (calf)
Suspended: None


Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Graham Burke (knee), Paul Corry (knee)
Doubtful: Roberto Lopes, Trevor Clarke

Suspended: None

@ShamrockRovers
#FAICup, semi-final
Sunday, 1st October
Oriel Park
16.45 pic.twitter.com/b4T9UHOZlA

— Dundalk FC (@DundalkFC) September 29, 2017