Drogheda United -v- St Patrick's Athletic

DROGHEDA UNITED

Talking to Drogheda manger Mick Cooke throughout the season one thing has become quite clear. He prefers his Cup games at home. However with a cup-final on Saturday, the 0-0 draw on Friday might not have been the ideal build up, but the Drogheda manager is relieved to be still in the competition.

Speaking ahead of the game he said ““I thought St Pats were certainly the better team in the second half and they had their chances and we were lucky to come away with a nil-nil draw. But we'll be confident at home and I'm hoping that Pats have missed their chance now and we can capitalise on this replay and make the semi-final.

“It's still good to be in the cup and the atmosphere on Monday night will be fantastic and hopefully we can give the fans more reason to celebrate,” he added.

Cooke may well switch things around, but his only doubt is surrounding club captain Paul Crowley who is rated as 50/50 for the clash.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Liam Buckley is frantically chasing his side’s only chance of silverware this season and he will be all too aware that they should already be in the hat for tonight’s semi-final draw.

The Saints manager knows he faces a tough prospect, especially now that he has to travel to Hunky Dorys Park for the game.

“Drogheda are a tough team to play on any day, but playing them out in United Park makes things a bit more difficult,” Buckley admitted.  

“In spite of that though, it’s a chance to progress to the semi-finals and the players are looking forward to Monday evening.  One side will finish on top one way or the other on Monday, we just hope that it is ourselves that finish on the right side of the result."

Mark Rossiter and recent Pats’ recruit Hernany Macedo will sit out the game through injury, while Saints’ top-scorer Christy Fagan and John Russell face late fitness tests before kick-off. 

The Saints however have been boosted by the returns of Anto Flood and Dean Kelly who have resumed full training and could come into contention for a place in the matchday squad, while Stephen O’Flynn saw his return to first team duty in the final stages of last Friday’s drawn game. 

Referee: Damien Hancock

BETTING

Drogheda United 12/5 Draw 9/4, St Pats 11/10

PREDICTION

I still can’t see how these sides are going to be separated, this will go to penalties 1-1 full-time, with Drogheda progressing from the spot kicks

Drogheda United Injury News: Paul Crowley (Doubt)

Drogheda United Suspension News: Jason Marks, Alan Byrne, Conor McMahon and Michael Schlingermann All Cup-tied

St Pats Injury News: Mark Rossiter, Hernany Macedo, Christy Fagan (doubt), John Russell (Doubt)

St Pats Suspension News: None