St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Belgrove

• Conor McKeogh
• Thu, Aug 26 2010


Belgrove FC are the last remaining non-Airtricity League side in this year’s FAI Ford Cup and they take on St. Patrick’s Athletic on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm). After a 2-1 victory in the third round against Avondale United, Belgrove are looking for a major upset against their former manager.

Pats boss Pete Mahon although confident, he knows not to show the visitors any disrespect.

“To be honest I can thank Belgrove for getting me back into football,” Mahon told stpatsfc.com, “after I left Bohemians I was approached by Jackie Lyons from Belgrove and he asked me to manage their team.

At the time I felt I was finished with football so I said no, but he rang me again and asked me to come out and have a look at them which I did and I still said no.

But he was persistent, he kept calling me and eventually I agreed.”

Mahon believes though that it is unlikely that Belgrove can progress to the final, like another non-league side, St Francis in 1990.

“There is just too much of a gap now, the change to summer football puts teams at a disadvantage to clubs like us in terms of match practice and fitness and I think the standard in our league with full- time football has improved greatly in recent years. That’s not to say that cup shocks won’t happen.”

Dave Mulcahy (hamstring), Paul Byrne (ankle) are out and Danny North (knee) is doubtful. Garret O’Connor and Chris Bennion are both cup- tied. Ryan Guy and Conor Kenna both sustained knocks to the head against Sporting Fingal and will undergo medical checks ahead of Friday’s game.

Venue: Richmond Park

St Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Dave Mulcahy, Paul Byrne
Cup Tied: Garret O’Connor, Chris Bennion
Doubtful: Danny North, Ryan Guy, Conor Kenna

Belgrove FC
No team news

paddypower.com odds: St Pats 1/20 Draw 7/1 Belgrove 25/1
extratime.ie prediction: 3 or 4 for Pats, maybe a consolation for Belgrove