Preview

The two relegation battlers get another crack at earning some glory. Shelbourne await the winners in the next round, which may just suit the winning manager for nobody will be expecting anything. And, as Galway showed us last Friday night, that can be an ideal basis on which to spring a surprise.

Pat Devlin should be better fixed for this evening's rematch, as Maurice Farrell and John Ryan should be fit to be in the reckoning, although whether either starts is another thing.

Nicky Reid's lot, on the hand, has worsened still further with the player/ manager out for the season due to a broken bone sustained at the weekend. Also, Conor O'Grady's fitness can't be confirmed until he returns from Belfast this morning and that Neil Ogden is still suspended, so there are serious concerns for the visitors in midfield.

O'Grady, assuming he is okay, will start, with Steve Birks almost certainly beside him. But up front there is more uncertainty. On the brighter side, Ross McLynn should be back after a minor ankle injury kept him out of the first game, Marcus Hallows possibly did enough on Saturday night to establish his fitness for a starting spot this time and Johnny Hoecks looked lively enough when he came on, and so Reid will have to sort out which two men to kick-off with.

Both managers claimed afterwards that they reckoned they were in a position to capitalise on the other's weaknesses in the replay. Both, though, will be looking for better performances from their men if the semi-final place is going to be wrapped up.

League and cup form: Bray: WLDDD; Sligo: WLWDD.

Leading league and cup scorers: Bray: Byrne and O'Connor (five apiece); Sligo: Hallows (eight), Shannon (seven).

Playing to meet: Shelbourne (away).

Betting: Home: 10/11, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/2.

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).