Big four drawn against each other

THERE was some competition for the "tie of the round" tag after yesterday's Harp Lager FAI Cup quarter final draw with four of the league's leading five clubs being drawn against each other. St Patrick's Athletic will travel across the capital to Bohemians for a repeat of last season's protracted semi final clash while Cork face the somewhat more daunting journey to take on Derry City.

"When you have the five leading teams going into the hat, the chances are that something like this is going to happen you," said Felix Healy yesterday. "But as you'd expect we're happy that they're coming here rather than it being the other way around.

"I don't think their lads will have been too thrilled when they heard about this one but it will be a very tough game for both sides and we'll be looking forward to it."

Cork and Derry have each won at the other's ground in the league this season but Dave Barry will not relish the prospect of his side having to repeat the task in the cup.

Reacting to news of the other big tie of the round St Patrick's manager Pat Dolan said that he was delighted and, dismissing any concerns about the prospect of going to Dalymount Park in search of a win, he remarked that "it's a great draw. Our away form this season has been superb... I'm sure that they are delighted with a home draw but in the FAI Cup that guarantees nothing."

Overall, the four quarter finals may well prove to be the most lucrative of recent years with current holders Shelbourne being drawn at Bray in a match which is likely to be the first played at the Carlisle Grounds under floodlights while Waterford United, who put Shamrock Rovers out of the competition in front of around 6,000 people, have been rewarded with another home match against fellow first division outfit, Drogheda United.

Pat Devlin and his team have had their problems in the league this season, hardly helped by their inability to score in two meetings with Shelbourne during which they have conceded five goals. The Wanderers manager was, nevertheless, upbeat about the challenge the holders would present. "The way the lads will look at it is that Shelbourne are blocking our way to a cup semi final so they will be determined to beat them and with a big crowd here to support us it should be a great occasion."

Finally first division leaders Drogheda United will head for Waterford hoping to succeed where Shamrock Rovers failed last week. "We're delighted that it's a home draw again but this one will be a bit different. Very few people gave us much of a chance against Rovers - but there will be greater expectations this time even though they are a very good side," said Waterford manager Tommy Lynch.