19.45 10 Mar 2015 -
Referee: Ray Matthews
EA Sports Cup Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Mayo League
- Gareth O'Reilly
- Mon, Mar 09 2015
SLIGO ROVERS
Sligo Rovers take on Mayo League on Tuesday night in the EA Sports Cup First Round as Owen Heary’s side look to continue their good cup form of the last few years. Kick-off is set for the Showgrounds at 19:45.
Heary has just the two injury concerns to worry himself about in the build up to the game as both Richard Brush and Jeff Henderson look set to miss out with the former picking up a knock during Sligo’s 1-1 draw with Cork City on Saturday evening.
Brush was involved in a collision with teammate Gavin Peers on Saturday and although a subsequent x-ray on his shoulder revealed no broken bones, the keeper is still expected to be out for a number of weeks. Former Bohs boss Heary is expected to bring in cover for his injured shot stopper over the next few days.
The Cork game took its toll on the Sligo squad with Morton Nielson also forced to leave the field feeling worse for wear, but he has made a full recovery from his light knock and will be available for selection on Tuesday night. New signing Eoin Wearan was absent from the drawn game due to suspension but will now return to the squad.
When Heary was first unveiled as Sligo boss he stated his desire to challenge on all fronts and the former League of Ireland winner says he holds the EA Sports Cup in just as high a regard as any other trophy his side will play in this year.
“Every trophy we are competing in we will gave the same priority to. We want to win the EA Sports Cup.
“We will need to make a few changes for the game just to freshen things up and give others game time. We will have three games in a week with Drogheda in the league next Friday so it’s important that we keep players fresh for that. But the players that we do pick to go out there will be professional and go out and do a job.”
MAYO LEAGUE
Mayo League competed in the EA Sports Cup back in 2012. On that occasion they fell to Finn Harps 2-0. A report for that game can be viewed here.
In 2013 the Mayo League also took part in the EA Sports Cup when they once again were drawn against Finn Harps, this time at home in Castlebar. Sadly for the Mayo footballing public they once again came up short against Harps falling on a scoreline of 1-4.
With the EA Sports Cup regionalised up until the Quarter Finals stage Mayo once again took on a Western side team in the First Round this time last year when it was Galway’s turn to ease past their opposition. The goals on that night came from Marty Owens and Jake Keegan with a full round up of events available here.
Referee: Ray Matthews
MATCH FACTS
Mayo are yet to win a game against League of Ireland opposition while they have managed to score just the solitary goal in their last three outings in the EA Sports Cup.
It is expected Owen Heary may field a young side mainly drawn from mainly from their U19 squad, who currently sit sixth in the Northern Elite Division with seven wins after sixteen games.
Sligo were beaten 1-0 by Derry City at the Second Round stage of last year’s tournament with Rory Patterson’s strike proving to be the difference between the sides on that occasion.
BETTING
Sligo Rovers 1/10; Draw 13/2; Mayo League 16/1
PREDICTION
Sligo Rovers 3-0 Mayo League
Sligo Rovers
Injured: Richard Brush (shoulder), Jeff Henderson
Doubtful: None
Suspensions: None
Mayo League
Injured: Unknown
Doubtful: Unknown
Suspended: Unknown
About Gareth O'Reilly
Gareth is the Editor of Extratime.ie. Gareth began as a normal reporter covering games all over Dublin before being asked to help out with behind the scene activities and eventually moving into the role of …