EA Sports Cup Preview: Cabinteely -v- Crumlin United

CABINTEELY

An experimental Cabinteely are expected to take to the field of play as Pat Devlin’s Green and White’s host Leinster Senior League Crumlin United in the first round of the EA Sports Cup on Sunday afternoon (kick-off is at 3.30pm).

Cabo come into the Sunday showdown at Stradbrook after seeing off Shamrock Rovers II by one goal to nil as Shane Barnes netted at the death.

Barnes got his head on a Kieran “Marty’ Waters cross into the six-yard box – where he was on hand to secure all three points late on for the hosts.

The result has seen Cabinteely go top of the First Division table after their start to the season has yielded three wins from three games.

However, despite their good run of form – Cabinteely are expected to ring the changes on Sunday afternoon – with several first-team players in line for their debuts.

Lloyd Buckley made his debut on Friday evening while Barnes made his first start of the season. Dylan Thornton also came on to make his Cabo bow in place of Vilius Labutis.

Cabinteely have not provided team news, but given the shirt turnaround in matches, it is unlikely that some of their injured stars will make their return to the starting XI.

CRUMLIN UNITED

Leinster Senior League kingpins Crumlin United will be hoping to secure a scalp in the opening round of the EA Sports Cup when they face First Division Cabinteely at Stradbrook.

Manager Martin Loughran has a strong panel to choose from – with plenty of players at a level in which they could compete in the League of Ireland.

Captain Thomas Hyland has impressed in many of his showings against League of Ireland opposition – while the well-known Craig Walsh is also a threat that Cabo must be wary of.

Liam and Gareth Brady, both brothers of Republic of Ireland international Robbie – are also more than capable of performing to a higher level.

They will also be bolstered by the fact that former Drogheda United and Longford Town midfielder Jamie Hollywood has joined the club in recent months.

Referee: Robert Dowling.

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely bowed out of the EA Sports Cup last term with a defeat away to Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Luke Clucas gave the First Division side a first-half lead, before Ryan Graydon and Sam Byrne scored in the second half to avoid a cup upset of sorts for the Gypsies.

Crumlin United’s last competitive outing against a League of Ireland side saw them fall to a 4-1 defeat away to UCD in the Leinster Senior Cup last year.

BETTING

Cabinteely 1/3; Draw 7/2; Crumlin United 5/1.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 1 - 1 Crumlin United (Cabinteely after extra-time)

Cabinteely

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.

Crumlin United

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A.

Suspended: None.