FAI CUP Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Crumlin United

• Fran Reilly
• Sun, May 31 2015




SLIGO ROVERS

Owen Heary's Sligo Rovers have a reprieve from their relegation battle this weekend as they play host to Leinster Senior League side Crumlin United in the second round of the FAI Cup.

 

The Bit O'Red have struggled for consistency under their new manager so far, winning just two of their 14 league games – and drawing six. Turn just two of those draws into wins and Rovers would be level on points with sixth place Longford Town, which goes to show how tight it is right now between five of the bottom six teams in the table (with Limerick yet to win a game and already falling away in last place, six points off Bray Wanderers immediately above them).

 

Still, Rovers' current league situation is a far cry from what Heary envisaged when he took over at the Showgrounds and they may well be glad of a break in routine to compete in a competition which has been very good to the Bit O'Red in recent seasons. They have won it three times in the last five years, with 2012 and 2014 being the exceptions.

 

Last season's foray was one to forget for Rovers, though, as the defending champions were comfortably dispatched 3-0 by Dundalk in Oriel Park at the second round stage. Crumlin United pose a different threat this time around and having witnessed first-hand the elimination of Shamrock Rovers by St. Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park on Friday night, Heary has emphasised to his players the importance of approaching the game properly and of reaching the next stage of the competition.

"The most important thing first and foremost is just to get through into the next round," Heary stressed to sligorovers.com. "I was at the St. Pat's and Shamrock Rovers game last night and that is Shamrock Rovers out of the cup already. And you saw Tolka Rovers knock Waterford United out last night as well. So it will be difficult for us to get through in our tie. We just have to make sure we take the right attitude into the game and focus on getting into the next round.

 

"We have to take Crumlin very seriously and be professional. We will definitely be treating them with full respect. I know some of their players from my time at Bohs and they have some good, experienced players all over the pitch. We will treat this the same as any cup game and be giving everything to win."

 

Jeff Henderson (foot) and Johnny Russell (hip flexor) miss out once again, while Alan Keane has been struck down with a case of wedding speech nerves - he will be best man at a friend's wedding on the day of the game. However, Jake Dykes returns after two games out with a hamstring problem while David Cawley is available again after suspension.

 

CRUMLIN UNITED

This will be Crumlin United's first appearance in the FAI Cup since 2012. In that campaign, they defeated Kilbarrack United 1-0 in the first round before bowing out of the competition with a3-0 'home' defeat to St. Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park.

 

This season, they enter as FAI Intermediate Cup champions having defeated fellow Leinster Senior League side Tolka Rovers 4-0 in the final at the Aviva Stadium earlier this month – the same Tolka Rovers who dumped Roddy Collins' Waterford United out of the FAI Cup with a 2-1 victory on Friday night.

 

Not to be outdone, Martin Loughran's side already have one League of Ireland scalp to their name this season. Crumlin defeated Premier Division Bray Wanderers – then managed by Alan Mathews – 4-2 at Pearse Park n the first round of the EA Sports Cup back in March. Much like their 2012 FAI Cup run, they met Pat's in the next round at 'home' in Richmond Park and lost by a three goal margin – though Paddy Cannon did get the Crumlin on the scoresheet in a 4-1 defeat.

 

With Sligo Rovers not fairing much better than the Seagulls in the League of Ireland top flight this season, the LSL Senior Sunday side will fancy their chances of adding another big scalp to their 2015 collection.

 

Referee: Ray Matthews.

 

MATCH STATS

This will be the first time Sligo Rovers have faced non-league opposition in the FAI Cup since defeating Limerick District League side Pike Rovers 3-2 in 2011.

 

Crumlin United have beaten one League of Ireland club in the FAI Cup before. In June 2009 as FAI Intermediate Cup champions, they defeated First Division side Shelbourne 1-0 at Tolka Park courtesy of a goal from Martin Cramer.

 

Sligo Rovers have twice been on the receiving end of giant-killings from non-league clubs in the FAI Cup. In 1969, they were beaten 2-0 by then non-league side Longford Town – who wouldn't be elected to the League of Ireland until 1984 – in Longford Park. More recently in 2000, they were beaten 1-0 by Bluebell United.

 

Crumlin United have already scalped one League of Ireland side in domestic cup competition this season – they defeated Bray Wanderers 4-2 in the first round of the EA Sports Cup back in March.

 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 3/10; Draw 7/2; Crumlin United 15/2.

 

PREDICTION

2-1.

 

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Johnny Russell (hip flexor), Jeff Henderson (foot).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Unavailable: Alan Keane (best man).

 

Crumlin United

Injured: Unknown.

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.