| Old rivals battle it out for 21st time |
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| Friday, 15 June 2007 | |
 When the second round draw pitted the two old adversaries together it set up the twenty-first cup clash between the two and Paul Cook’s side travel to Tolka Park on Saturday night (Kick-off 7.30pm), looking for what would only be the third ever win for the Showgrounds outfit. Cook is under no illusions as to the task facing the North West Rovers.
Big match build-up, courtesy of The Sligo Champion It is a rivalry steeped in the history of the competition. At times controversial, largely disappointing, yet always intriguing. There’s something about Sligo Rovers, Shamrock Rovers and the F.A.I. Cup. When the second round draw pitted the two old adversaries together it set up the twenty-first cup clash between the two and Paul Cook’s side travel to Tolka Park on Saturday night (Kick-off 7.30pm), looking for what would only be the third ever win for the Showgrounds outfit. Cook is under no illusions as to the task facing the North West Rovers, describing the tie as “difficult” and expecting a formidable challenge from the most successful cup side, the Hoops winning trophy a total of twenty-four times. Former centre half, Pat Scully has turned their fortunes around in guiding Shams to the top tier of the eircom League Premier Division following their First Division championship win last year and has built a good young side after the ignominy of relegation in 2005. The Hoops are certainly on a roll and Rovers undoubtedly face a tough test if they are to repeat the victories of 1982/ 83-when they went on to win the cup for the first time- and 1994/95, when they won a quarter-final Showgrounds replay thanks to two Eddie Annand penalties. The teams have also met in two F.A.I. Cup finals, the first in April, 1940 when 38,500 fans packed into Dalymount Park to see Shams win three-nil. The second occasion was surrounded in controversy as Dublin referee, John Carpenter, awarded the John Giles managed Hoops a penalty in the third minute of first-half injury time and Ray Treacy scored to break Sligo hearts again. There was also a memorable semi-final second leg at Glenmalure Park in April, 1987, a one-one draw (Tony Kelly on the mark for the Reds) the result of the last competitive match played at the Milltown ground. With the previous leg ending scoreless, the replay was played at the Showgrounds and a late Noel Larkin goal gave Shams a win. History, of course, will be consigned to memory on Saturday night as the present incumbents face each other for a place in the last sixteen. And, the local Rovers will draw some comfort from the fact that they have responded well to the big occasion this season-a stunning 4-1 victory over Cork City and a 2-1 win against the Sean Connor managed, Bohemians, cases in point. Cook will certainly have his players well motivated as they return to competitive action after the season’s break. “We’re looking forward to it and will give it our best shot. You can’t ask for anything more than honesty and effort and I feel we will get that,” he declared ahead of the tie. The ex-Southport boss has a number of options as he ponders his team selection. He has rotated the goalkeeping duties between Richard Brush and Tommy Arcaba since replacing Rob McDonald in the managerial hotseat. Seamus Coleman has had an excellent season at right back as he continues to build on his obvious potential, while Jamie McKenzie, Gavin Peers and Zoltan Vasas have featured in the centre of defence at various stages. Keith Foy, Sean Kelly and Rafael Cretaro have all figured at left-back, while Cook will be hoping that newly appointed captain, Adam Hughes, and Conor O’Grady can recapture the form evident in the win over Bohemians as they bid for a midfield foothold. Brian Cash is also regaining fitness after his welcome return from injury and impressed on his introduction as substitute on the right side of mid-field against Bohs and Drogheda. Steve Manson and Gary Curran are in contention for places, while Matt Judge and Fahrudin Kuduzovic are expected to play up front, though Sean Flannery is also battling for match sharpness following his recent comeback. For their part, Shams will have to plan without captain, Aidan Price, out for ten weeks with injury. Price joined the Hoops having played under Pat Scully at Kilkenny and was last season’s Player of the Year. Barry Ferguson, signed from Bohemians and Danny O’Connor are suspended. Goalkeeper, Barry Murphy, kept a total of twenty-three clean sheets last term, while ex-Longford Town netminder, Stephen O’Brien, joined the Dubliners in the close season. A number of former Dublin City players went to the Hoops following their shock withdrawal from the league in 2006, Paul Shiels, Derek Pender and David McGill-who played against Rovers in the eircom under-21 Shield semi-final at the Showgrounds recently-among them. Shams also include ex-Yeoville Town midfielder, Stephen Maher. The Hoops have put up some good performances back in the top flight, but after last year’s run to the semi-final, Rovers will be hoping for another extended run in 2007.....beginning with a Happy 21st on Saturday night! |
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