FAI Cup First Round Previews

Tonight 7.45

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers

Shamrock Rovers are the ones everybody is chasing when it comes to cup wins over the years with the Dublin club having picked the trophy up no fewer than 24 times. During that time Rovers have won the competition at least once in each decade, a record which, admits manager Mick Byrne, is currently under threat.

"Time is running out on that one but we'll be looking to put that right this year. We know this will be a tough game but there's always a bit of hype around the club when the cup comes around and this year will be no exception," he says.

"They'll probably play a little bit differently because of the fact that it's not another instalment of their scrap against relegation but, to be honest, I'm not worried, it's my first time going into the cup as a manager and that's a big thrill for me. Whoever takes their chances on the night will go through."

Byrne's main problem for tonight is Richie Purdy's suspension but Tommy Dunne faces a late fitness test on an ankle injury. Brian Morrisroe returns to the reckoning after coming through training this week without any problems.

For United defender Martin Lawlor is not too badly fixed either with Rod de Khors doubtful due to a rib injury but just about everyone else all right for a game which could go a long way towards restoring morale around United Park.

"It's a big relief for us," says Lawlor "to have this game now. The cup brings the best out of everyone, particularly Rovers you have to say, and we're out to make this the first chapter of a fairy story."

Five Year Cup Form: Drogheda: Rd 1,1,2,1,Q; Rovers: Rd Q,1,Q,1,2.

Betting: Home: 7/2, Draw: 11/4, Away: 8/13.

Possible Replay Date: Jan 14th at 7.30 p.m.

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

Bohemians v Cork City

The home side's struggle with injuries is likely to continue this evening especially if Donal Broughan, who hurt an ankle in the win over Drogheda, doesn't recover in time to play a part.

The Dubliners, who also lost Tommy Byrne to injury in that game, finished up with Derek McGrath at full back, Graham Lawlor in the centre of defence and John Ryan in midfield. It has an air of improvisation about it this time, too, although there is some good news for Turlough O'Connor with Maurice O'Driscoll ready to return this evening.

Cork have problems of their own with the postponement of the game against Finn Harps last week wrecking their hopes of clearing up three outstanding suspensions. Now Jason Kabia, Kelvin Flanagan and Stephen Napier must sit tonight's game out.

Still Dave Barry has a good bit of quality in reserve with John Caulfield and John Cotter battling it out for Kabia's place up front and Derek Coughlan likely to come in at the back for Napier as he did at the half-way point of the eight-goal epic with Shelbourne a couple of weeks ago.

Patsy Freyne and Brian Barry Murphy will continue their partnership in the centre of midfield with Ollie Cahill and Colin O'Brien both looking to get forward from wide positions.

While Barry says he is happy with the way his men have performed over the past couple of games, he will be looking for an improvement at the back where they have conceded seven goals between the St Patrick's and Shelbourne matches.

"We've done a bit of work on it because, to be fair, we really weren't defending properly when the ball was in the air. Part of that, though, is down to the fact that we haven't been able to field a settled team all season and that might end up being a problem again in Dalymount".

Five Year Cup Form: Bohemians: Rd 2,S,S,S,S; Cork: 2,2,2,1,Q.

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 7/4, Away: 7/4.

Possible Replay Date: Jan 14th at 2.0 p.m.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Waterford Utd v St Patrick's Ath

First in the second against second in the first as it were and both teams will fancy their chances of taking a place in Sunday night's second round draw.

As of last night the game is scheduled to go ahead but if it does the ground will undoubtedly be very wet with the result possibly boiling down to the question of who copes better with that particular challenge.

The visitors will also have to cope, however, with the loss of Willie Burke and Ian Gilzean, both of whom are suffering from knee ligament problems while manager Pat Dolan must wait on Eddie Gormley and Paul Osam who are carrying knocks, but both are expected to play.

With Burke out, Paul Campbell will continue to deputise at full back but Gilzean's absence may result in Martin Reilly starting up front, Ricky McEvoy returning or Tommy Gaynor getting a rare start.

Tommy Lynch's difficulties are more numerous with Joe Harkin the only confirmed absentee but a bout of flu in the camp casting doubt over the fitness of John Power, Paul Carr, Sean Riordan and Colin Delahunty.

Like his opposite number, however, Lynch is not short on options and Karl Gannon, Alan Reynolds, Alan Barry and Liam Maher are amongst those ready to be drafted in if required. The fact that the reserves haven't had a game in three weeks, though, will not help the home side's cause.

Still, cheered on by a crowd of anything up to 8,000 at the RSC, United will be very hard to beat as one or two of the league's bigger sides will remember only too well.

Five Year Cup Form: Waterford: Rd 2,1,1,2,S; St Patrick's: Rd S,Q,1,F,Q.

Betting: Home: 10/3, Draw: 9/4, Away: 8/11.

Possible Replay Date: Jan 12th at 7.30 p.m.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power