Shelbourne again stand between Rovers and FAI Cup glory

SHAMROCK ROVERS will have to overcome cross-city rivals Shelbourne again if they are to take another step towards a first FAI Ford Cup success in a quarter of a century after the two clubs were paired in last night’s quarter-final draw.

Shelbourne have won the competition six times since Rovers last lifted the trophy but Stephen Kenny’s side had the better of the two league encounters this year and on current form start the tie as strong favourites.

“No, it’s a one-off game and it should be a great occasion,” says Shelbourne boss Alan Mathews. “There’s a great cup tradition between the two clubs and it’s probably the tie of the round.

“Certainly to have a club like Rovers coming to us for a game like this is terrific; we’ll look forward it and I know the lads will be determined to make it a great night for our fans.”

The league champions are likely to be even more anxious to progress in the competition given their latest title defence looks increasingly likely to end in failure, but both sides will want to make up for recent disappointments, with Sligo Rovers having beaten Rovers then Shelbourne, both on penalties, in the last two finals.

Derry City, meanwhile, look to have got the most attractive draw of the round after landing a home tie with whichever of the surviving First Division sides, Waterford United and Mervue United, gets through a twice postponed match that is now scheduled to be played next Monday night.

“I think it’s probably the draw every one of the managers would have wanted, to be honest, but then we got quite a wake-up call last year when we were put out by Wexford Youths, so I can assure you we won’t be complacent,” says manager Declan Devine.

“I think the first thing you look for on these occasions is to get drawn at home,” he says, “and to get one of the First Division sides. If nothing else it’s a break from the norm for us so we’ll look forward to it.

“For the players to get through to this stage of the competition has been great but it’s been too long since Derry City were contesting the final of a competition that’s very close to the hearts of everyone up here. We’ve made one final this year, the Setanta Cup, but lost that, and now it would mean an awful lot for us to push on in this competition. We’ll take it one step at a time, though.”

In the other games, Bohemians and Dundalk will face each other, having both beaten non-league opposition at the weekend to progress, while Drogheda United travel to Inchicore where they upset St Patrick’s 2-0 in the league last month.