FAI Cup previews

A look ahead to the rest of this weekend's second round matches:

Today

Douglas Hall v Cobh Ramblers

(St Colman's Park, 7.45)

Douglas Hall midfielder David Moore going back to one of his former clubs as captain adds spice to this local derby.

"Cobh are doing well, but all the pressure is on them being the League of Ireland team," said ex-Celtic trainee Moore, who also had spells at Cork City and Waterford United.

"While their back four is experienced, they've a young team. It will be a tight game because I feel we've a lot of players who can match them man-to-man," added Moore.

Douglas Hall central defender Robbie Brohan will have a fitness test on a groin strain while Cobh, second place in the First Division and unbeaten in 12 games, won't risk midfielder Kenny Coleman, though he's over a groin injury.

"If our attitude isn't right we'll get punished," said Cobh manager Stephen Henderson.

Last year: Douglas Hall(second round: lost 5-0 to Waterford United); Cobh Ramblers(second round: lost 1-0 to Dundalk).

Betting: Home: 10/1; Draw: 15/4 ; Away: 2/9.

Kildare County v Kilkenny City

(Station Road, 7.30)

If their league encounter earlier in the season is any indicator, Station Road could be the venue for goals tonight - with a replay not unlikely before these two First Division sides can be separated.

"We led 1-0, and then 3-1 before they grabbed two goals," said Kildare manager John Ryan of their 3-3 draw at Buckley Park in April. "It was a great game, and I don't think tonight will be anything different."

Midfielder Alan Byrne is suspended again following a second red card in a fortnight last month, though Gary Walsh returns to the squad following a six-week absence with a groin strain.

Kilkenny, whose draw with high-flying Cobh Ramblers in their last league game lifted them off the foot of the table, are without the suspended Kieran Fitzgerald.

Last year: Kildare County(Second round: lost 1-0 to Bray Wanderers after replay); Kilkenny City(Second round: lost 2-0 to UCD).

Betting: Home: 4/6; Draw: 12/5; Away: 7/2.

Longford Town v Celbridge Town

(Flancare Park, 7.0)

Having met non-league opponents in three of the previous four seasons, including their ultimate triumphs of 2003 and 2004, Longford are used to the unknown quantity Celbridge Town are likely to throw up at Flancare Park this evening.

"Apart from Cork City last year, we've faced Tolka Rovers, Leeds (from Cork) and Waterford Crystal in the first or second rounds. So it's not a new experience for us," said Longford manager Alan Mathews.

"You have to focus like any other game, be professional about your business and prepare well," added Mathews, who is without suspended defender Patrick Sullivan and injured trio of Robbie Martin, Kevin Doherty and Ian Wexler.

Goalkeeper Shay Kelly has resumed training following a back injury.

Celbridge, who have made a weekend of their trip to the midlands by staying over last night and again tonight, are the lowest ranked Intermediate side in the competition, having just won the LSL Senior (Sunday) Division 1B title last season.

Manager Martin Harding reports a full squad available to him, including captain Robert Grendon and Cormac Ryan who have League of Ireland experience with Monaghan United and Kildare County respectively.

Last year: Longford Town(Quarter-finals: lost 4-1 to St Patrick's Athletic); Celbridge Town: (Did not qualify).

Betting: Home: 1/5; Draw: 4/1; Away: 11/1.

Salthill Devon v UCD

(Drom, 7.0)

With six first-team players - Donagh Morahan, Ronan Gilligan, Robbie Porter, Nicky Curran, Seán Murphy and Charlie Burke - out for a variety of reasons, Salthill face League of Ireland opposition in the cup for the first time with several of last season's under-21 league winning team promoted to the senior squad.

Ryan O'Donnell, Breen Geraghty, Marcin Syzmanski, and Seamie Rabbitte have League of Ireland experience along with former Ireland under-21 international Tony Folan, who played in the Premiership at Crystal Palace, who hopes to make his debut.

UCD manager Pete Mahon - whose St Francis beat Salthill on their way to the 1990 final - is boosted by the return of his captain Tony McDonnell and fellow midfielder Brian King. Paul Crowley serves a one-match suspension.

Last year: Salthill Devon(Did not qualify); UCD(Quarter-finals: lost 2-0 to Derry City).

Betting: Home: 10/1; Draw: 3/1; Away: 2/7.

Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers

(Tolka Park, 7.30)

Confirmation that his captain Aidan Price is out until October with a broken metatarsal has been described by Shamrock Rovers' manager Pat Scully as " a huge loss".

With Barry Ferguson and Danny O'Connor both suspended it means Scully must formulate an emergency central defensive partnership for this clash of last year's beaten semi-finalists. All the more reason why Scully will hope that regular right-back Ger O'Brien overcomes an ankle injury to start.

"Sligo have a good team and ran us close the last time we met and we won with a late goal," said Scully of their league game which ended in a brawl. "It'll be tough and we'll have to play well. We'll expect a similar type of game."

Sligo, buoyed by their league win over Bohemians, are without suspended left back Keith Foy while the versatile Rafael Cretaro is a major doubt with a knee injury picked up in that game.

Last year: Shamrock Rovers(Semi-finals: lost 2-0 to St Patrick's Athletic); Sligo Rovers(semi-finals: lost 5-0 to Derry City after replay).

Betting: Home: 8/13; Draw: 12/5; Away: 4/1.

Tomorrow

Bray Wanderers v St Mochtas

(Carlisle Grounds, 3.0)

Bray manager Eddie Gormley wants to build on recent solid performances in the league to give him a victory in what is his FAI Cup debut as a manager.

"We won't be taking anything for granted," said Gormley. "So many times in the past there's been shocks with non-league clubs beating League of Ireland teams. Our job is to make sure we don't join that list. We will show St Mochtas the respect they deserve and hopefully we will get the win we are looking for."

With the exception of goalkeeper Chris O'Connor, who has returned home to Australia due to family commitments, Bray have the luxury of being at full strength.

Leinster Senior League Division 1A side St Mochtas are without their captain Brian McCarthy due to a broken leg suffered in training last week while central midfielder Andy Brady is on holidays.

Last year: Bray Wanderers(Third round: lost 2-1 to Sligo Rovers); St Mochtas(First round: lost 6-1 to Killester United).

Betting: Home: 1/6; Draw: 9/2; Away: 12/1.

Fanad United v St John Bosco

(Trialough, 12.0)

Holidays deprive both sides of four regular players, illustrating the frustration for Fanad manager Ollie Horgan of non-league sides' participation in the competition.

"The timing of the competition now puts the non-leagues sides under a lot of pressure," said Horgan, who is also without the injured Shane Sweeney and captain Pat Paton. "Even if we get through the timing of the next round doesn't help us either. I don't think the FAI Cup is set up for any non-league sides to progress anymore."

Dublin AUL side St John Bosco, who are also without the injured Richard Leonard, are delighted to be making an FAI Cup debut in what is their 50th anniversary.

"We'd hoped to get a big draw and make a few quid, so drawing another non-league side is disappointing, more so for us having to travel," said manager Ger O'Looney.

Last year: Fanad United(First round: lost 1-0 to Malahide United after replay); St John Bosco(first time to qualify).

Betting: Home: 2/5; Draw: 11/4; Away: 6/1.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.