Sligo Rovers -v- Monaghan United

• Jessica Farry
• Sat, Aug 27 2011


Monaghan United travel to Sligo in the hope that they will be able to stop the current FAI Ford Cup holders from reclaiming the cup on Saturday (Kick-off 7.45pm).

Paul Cook’s men were victorious both times these two sides met last season, one victory coming on the road to the FAI Cup final and the other in the EA Sports Cup final.

The Bit o’Red claimed a narrow victory in the third round of the cup when they defeated junior side Pike Rovers 3-2 at The Showgrounds. The Limerick side took the lead in the second half but Sligo equalised soon after and scored two further goals before Pike got themselves a second goal which wasn’t quite enough to get past the North-Western side.

Roddy Collins’ men defeated Everton 2-1 in the third round. Carlow took the lead early on in the fifth minute but Mons hit back with two goals to progress to the next round.

Rovers are still without Alan Keane who is out with a thigh injury but Paul Cook has no other injury worries or suspensions. Speaking to the club’s official website, Cook said: “Roddy Collins will have Monaghan up for the challenge and they will not be afraid to take us on. We want to bring momentum into the next few weeks and everyone knows how important the FAI Cup is to Sligo Rovers.”

Monaghan will be without Conor McMahon but have no other injury worries or suspensions either. Roddy Collins said that he has an inkling this may go to a replay: “It would be great to win this game in front of a packed partisan Sligo following in the Showgrounds but somehow I believe it might not be settled on the night much as I dislike replays, but having played Sligo three times away who would begrudge us a home game?”.

“Since been drawn against Sligo Rovers I have done as much homework as was possible on them, sure they are impressive, but I believe that their main strength is also their main weakness, they love to play attacking football and for the most part they achieve their aim, I believe the way to beat them is to stop the supply and to take them on at their own game of playing attacking football. Anyone that has followed us this season will know that United’s style is to attack and I believe that we can continue in this form against Sligo.”

< b>Sligo Rovers
< b>Injured: Alan Keane.
< b>Doubtful: None.
< b>Suspended: None.

< b>Monaghan United
< b>Injured: Conor McMahon.
< b>Doubtful: None.
< b>Suspended: None.

< b>Referee: Paul Tuite.

< b>Paddy Power Odds: Sligo Rovers 3/10; Draw 4/1; Monaghan United 15/2.

< b>Extratime prediction: A 2-1 win for Sligo Rovers.