Sligo Rovers -v- Shamrock Rovers

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Nov 13 2010


Sligo Rovers, holders of the EA Sports Cup, meet Shamrock Rovers, the newly crowned Premier Division champions, on Sunday afternoon in the first FAI Cup final to be played at the new Aviva Stadium. (Kick-off 3.30pm)

Historically, Shamrock Rovers have long been regarded as Cup specialists but it has been 23 years now since the Hoops last lifted this trophy and their last appearance in the final came all of eight years ago when they lost 1-0 to Derry City at Tolka Park.

Sligo, on the other hand, still bear the emotional scars of losing last years final to Sporting Fingal. Leading with just five minutes to go, two late goals for Fingal left the 'Bit o' Red' feeling as miserable as the now traditional appalling Cup Final weather.

Paul Cook's men will welcome the opportunity to make up for that disappointment so quickly and while lifting the EA Sports Cup back in September offered them some Cup joy, it is the FAI Cup that the westerners crave.

Sligo's task will be made harder by the absence of suspended duo Richie Ryan and Matthew Blinkhorn. Blinkhorn has led the Sligo forward line with aplomb since Padraig Amond's move to Portugal and, while he has scored a total of ten goals this season, he has not scored in this competition since last season's semi-final against Waterford United.

Ryan, recently voted the Airtricity League's Player of the Year, will arguably be an even bigger loss. Throughout 2010 Ryan has orchestrated the Sligo midfield with a succession of commanding performances and his enforced absence has reignited the debate on the league's suspension system which allows cumulative league bookings to eliminate players from the Cup Final.

Shamrock Rovers have their own personnel problems for the Final with three players out injured, two facing late fitness tests, and one more suspended. Robert Bayly is the man who misses out due to suspension while Pat Sullivan, Sean O'Connor, Dan Murray are all long term cruciate ligament victims.

Aidan Price is expected to recover from his groin injury and take his place in the Hoops' back four but Gary Twigg, the club's talismanic striker, is still a serious doubt with a problematic hamstring.

An added frisson to this years final is the fact that an impressive 'double' will be achieved by whoever wins. Should Sligo prevail they will claim their first League Cup/FAI Cup double though it has been done five times before, Derry City managing the feat twice.

Shamrock Rovers have the more prominent 'League and Cup double' in sight, something they last achieved in 1987. Remarkably it is something that the Tallaght side have managed six times throughout their history, first in 1925, and should they land a seventh 'double' it would reaffirm the opinion of their supporters that a period of dominance is dawning for their club.

One might expect the League Champions to be favourites for this event but it is Sligo who have shown the more resilient league form of late and it may be that the imperative to make up for last year will prove a sufficient spur to push them over the line this time around.

Sligo Rovers
Injured: Mauro Almeida, Richard Brush.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Richie Ryan, Mathew Blinkhorn.

Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Pat Sullivan, Sean O'Connor, Dan Murray.
Doubtful: Gary Twigg, Aidan Price.
Suspended: Robert Bayly.

Referee: Thomas Connolly.

Extratime Prediction: An epic 3-2 win for Sligo.