FAI Cup And National League Previews

Today (7.30)

FAI Cup

Sligo Rovers v St Francis

The home side are hoping to field the same team that beat UCD with manager Nicky Reid and Lee Thew still suspended. Aled Rowlands and Marcus Hallows are both expected to recover from minor knocks. Steve Jones, with a knee problem, is slightly more doubtful while local teenager Conor O'Grady seems set to get another run out.

Noel Griffin and Terry Berry are missing from the visitors' panel because of suspension but manager Pete Mahon is still aiming to produce the story of the weekend. "We'll do very well to get a result up there but every round of the cup produces a shock and if we play like we can it just might be us."

Route to second round: Sligo - beat Mervue Utd 2-0 away in replay; Francis - beat Cherry Orchard 1-0 at home.

Betting: Home: 4/11; Draw: 3/1; Away: 13/2.

Possible replay date: Wednesday, February 11th, 2.0.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Athlone Town v Shamrock Rovers

After disappointing skirmishes with the two best sides in the country, Rovers will fancy themselves to get back to winning ways against an Athlone side that make their visitors look positively geriatric.

Mick Byrne's side should be close to full strength for the game but Liam Buckley has a few injury concerns with Johnny Morris Burke and Shane Curran (both groin) and Stephen Lally (knee) scheduled for late tests. Lally is the most likely to make it. One way or the other, argues Buckley, the game will be a good experience for his lads although, he adds: "Don't get me wrong we'll be going into it to win and that's what we hope to do."

Route to second round: Athlone - beat College Corinthians 3-0 at home; Rovers - beat Drogheda United 2-0 at home in replay.

Betting: Home: 7/2; Draw: 9/4; Away: 8/11.

Possible replay date: Tuesday, February 17th, 7.45.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

Longford Town v Whitehall Rangers

Having overcome Wayside Celtic at the third attempt, first division strugglers Longford face more non-league opposition and Whitehall, in the wake of their convincing win at Fanad, look more formidable than Peter Lennon's side just now.

Manager Fran Hitchcock has three worries with Sean Brennan hoping to recover from a groin strain in time to play but Joe Hearn and Tony O'Kelly, who are both suffering from hamstring problems, face an uphill struggle. "It's a great opportunity for us and we can't wait," says Hitchcock, "although to be fair they probably feel exactly the same way."

Route to second round: Longford - beat Wayside Celtic 1-0 away in second replay; Whitehall - beat Fanad United 3-0 away.

Betting: Home: 6/4; Draw: 2/1; Away: 7/4.

Possible replay date: Wednesday, February 11th, 2.30.

Referee: D Meier (Dublin).

Cobh Ramblers v St Patrick's Athletic

The hosts may be unchanged from the side which drew against Galway but manager Ian Butterworth knows that his men will have to play out of their skins to put out the National League table toppers.

Pat Dolan must cope without long term injury problems to Willie Burke and Paul Osam but everybody else is available. The only problem is how to get them all on the bus. It will be interesting to see whether the Dubliners throw any more of their recent signings in from the start. One way or the other they are likely to be as positive as ever with a three-man attack attempting to win the tie at the first attempt.

Route to second round: Cobh - beat Monaghan United 3-0 away; St Patrick's - beat Waterford United 3-0 at home in replay.

Betting: Home: 5/1; Draw: 5/2; Away: 1/2.

Possible replay date: Monday, February 9th, 7.30.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Galway United v Finn Harps

One of the potential crackers with two good, open footballing teams facing each other in front of what should be a big crowd at Terryland Park. Don O'Riordan has Ryan Lucas on the bench after a long spell out injured but Donal Murray, who had done a great deal in recent weeks to play himself into contention for a starting slot, misses out after picking up an ankle injury in a reserve game.

Harps welcome back Stuart Gauld after injury but are without Tommy Callaghan who was not signed before the deadline. Jonathon Speak is still some way away from returning and James Mulligan and Davie Dowling are likely to be the ones looking for goals up front again.

"It's a big game for us," admits Charlie McGeever, "but it's still tough to keep it from being an anti-climax after the win against Derry which had everybody psyched up around the town. Hopefully the players can respond, though."

Route to second round: Galway - beat Cobh Wanderers 2-0 away. Harps - beat Bray Wanderers 2-0 at home.

Betting: Home: 5/2; Draw: 2/1; Away: 11/10.

Possible replay date: Wednesday, February 11th, 7.45.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

FAI National League

Kilkenny City v Bohemians

Turlough O'Connor is likely to have to tinker with his winning combination for the first time in four weeks as Peter Hanrahan and Derek McGrath struggle to shake off knocks picked up in the defeat of Cork City on Sunday. On the bright side, though, Tommy Byrne came through the latter part of that game without any problems which could mean a bit of a switch involving him, Tony O'Connor and Brian Mooney.

Just when Kilkenny thought their injury problems were behind them, Kevin Kelly and Davie Walsh suffered problems in training this week and are almost certain to miss this evening's game. Paul Cashin's fitness continues to improve, however, and he will start as City strive to maintain their recent improvement and keep their hopes of survival alive.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 1997/98: Bohemians 8, Kilkenny City 1.

Recent league form: Bohemians: W W D W W; Kilkenny: L L L D W.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Lawlor (six), Doolin and Swan (four each); Kilkenny: Hale and Kelly (three each). Betting: Home: 6/1; Draw: 5/2; Away: 1/2.

Referee: T Tully (Cork).

Tomorrow

FAI Cup

Cork City v Derry City (12.0)

After what seems like months of having to patch together a side in the face of a steady stream of injuries, the northerners are actually the better off of the two outfits for this game. Sean Hargan returns from suspension and Eamon Doherty is expected to play despite tweaking a hamstring at Finn Park last weekend.

Patsy Freyne, Jason Kabia and Noel Hartigan, on the other hand, are all doubtful for the home side. "They'd be out if it was a league match," says Dave Barry, "but in the circumstances they all want to play in this game and we'll give them every chance." Hartigan was the only one involved at Dalymount last week when he twisted an ankle and if he doesn't make it John Cotter is likely to partner John Caulfield up front.

Route to second round: Cork - beat Bohemians 1-0 away; Derry beat Rockmount 7-0 at home.

Betting: Home: 6/4; Draw: 7/4; Away: 2/1.

Possible replay date: Tuesday, February 10th, 7.30.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

UCD v Home Farm/Everton (3.15)

A Sherlockless UCD recall Eamonn McLoughlin and Eoin Bennis for a tricky looking tie against Dermot Keely's Home Farm/ Everton. With Sherlock stateside, Ken Kilmurray is certain to retain his place up front where he is likely to be partnered by Mick O'Byrne.

Keely is hoping that Graham Doyle will be fit to play despite a bout of flu but Stuart Byrne, who is down with a virus, is definitely out. "They probably have the better players overall," says Keely, who has been known to play a mind game or two in his day, "but hopefully we can make up for that with our attitude on the day."

Route to second round: UCD - beat Kilkenny City 4-0 away; Home Farm/Everton - beat Home Farm 3-1 at home.

Betting: Home: 4/6; Draw: 5/2; Away: 7/2.

Possible replay date: Wednesday, February 11th, 7.30.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

First Round Replay

Shelbourne v Dundalk (3.0)

The Shelbourne frontline aside, both sides are likely to be unchanged for this game. Dessie Baker looks doubtful after picking up an ankle injury but he and Stephen Geoghegan are both receiving treatment. If neither makes it then Derek Muir, who came on in the first round win over Limerick, may get the chance to start alongside Liam Kelly up front.

Jim McLaughlin is almost certain to start with the same 11 which played in the first game. Peter Withnell received a few stitches to a head wound after the draw but he is expected to be fine for tomorrow afternoon's clash. David Hoey, who has a niggling knee problem, will be on the bench again.

Route to second round: Shelbourne - beat Limerick 4-1 at home; Dundalk - beat Swilly Rovers 5-0 at home.

Betting: Home: 4/7; Draw: 12/5; Away: 9/2.

Possible replay date: To be decided after toss of coin determines venue.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).