Leinster Senior Cup Preview: Cabinteely -v- St Patrick's Athletic

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely will be looking to reach the last four of the Leinster Senior Cup for the first time in their history when they welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to Stradbrook on Sunday afternoon (kick-off is at 3.30pm).

Cabo secured their place in the First Division playoffs on Friday evening thanks to a comprehensive 3-1 win over Athlone Town.

A brace from forward Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters set the Green and Whites on their way – before Rob Manley scored his 18th of the season to seal the deal just on the half-hour mark.

Former Cabinteely winger Nika Kalandarishvili scored a second-half consolation just moments after the break, but it was not enough to bring the Blue and Black of the Midlands back into the contest.

However, the Leinster Senior Cup offers a chance to some of Pat Devlin’s fringe players to stake a claim in the first-team ahead of the crunch playoff games to take place next month.

New Japanese signing Yuta Sasaki may also be in line to make his first start for Cabinteely – having mainly featured as a substitute thus far.

The South Dubliners won their fourth round clash with a 2-1 win away to local rivals Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds.  

Cabinteely have not released any team news ahead of the Sunday afternoon encounter, but it is expected that they will in fact ring the changes.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

Last season’s beaten Leinster Senior Cup finalists St Patrick’s Athletic are the visitors to Stradbrook on Sunday afternoon in the Leinster Senior Cup to face Pat Devlin’s promotion chasing Cabinteely.

There has been a bit of change at Richmond Park in recent weeks, with former Dundalk midfielder Stephen O’Donnell being installed as Head Coach of the Saints.

O’Donnell has come into the Pats hot-seat following the surprise departure of Harry Kenny as boss after the three-one defeat away to UCD in the FAI Cup.

However, it is probable that Stephen O’Donnell will opt for a much change side on Sunday afternoon, giving precedence to their league aspirations.

With Europa League football still well within their reach, the focus is likely to be solely on getting the required results to achieve that lucrative goal.



However, this is the Athletic’s final opportunity to achieve some form of silverware this year – but they know that they face a tall order if they are to achieve that goal.

Pats have not released any team news ahead of their trip to Stradbrook, but it is expected that they will make a few changes from their scoreless draw on Friday evening against UCD.

Referee: TBC.

 

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely reached the last eight of the Leinster Senior Cup thanks to a deserved two-one win over Bray Wanderers back in March. Luke Clucas and the recently departed Sean Fitzpatrick got on the scoresheet during a dominant first-half display from Cabo.

The Athletic also reached the quarter-finals of the ‘much sought after’ competition with a three-goal win over First Division Wexford at Richmond Park. Chris Forrester, Jake Walker and Paul Cleary all got on the scoresheet on that occasion for the Saints.    

St Patrick’s Athletic have won the Leinster Senior Cup on eight occasions previously – with the most recent coming 2014 where they saw off Longford Town in the final. They were defeated in last year’s final on penalties by eventual winners Shelbourne.

BETTING

N/A.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1 - 0 St Patrick’s Athletic.

 

Cabinteely

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

 

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Unavailable.

Doubtful: Unavailable.

Suspended: None.

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