Sligo looking to close in on final place

SETANTA SPORTS CUP SEMI-FINAL, FIRST LEG St Patrick's Athletic v Sligo Rovers:ST PATRICK'S Athletic may have surrendered their unbeaten record over the weekend but their opponents in tonight's Setanta Cup semi-final first leg at Richmond maintained theirs with a late win at Bray.

Now, Sligo Rovers head for Inchicore in the hope that another win or draw will effectively leave them with one foot in the next month’s final.

Brian Cash and Ian Bermingham are sidelined for the hosts while for Sligo, Iarflaith Davoren misses out with a hamstring problem. Richard Brush and Gary McCabe are both doubtful after picking up injuries in the win over Wanderers.

Joseph Ndo will not feature for Sligo as he is cup-tied and still waiting on his international clearance. “It’s a terrible pity,” says Conor O’Grady, one of those looking forward to playing with one of the most talented players to come into the league for many years.

“There was a great buzz around the town when he signed, everybody’s dying to see him play for the club but the whole thing has dragged on and nobody knows what’s happening with it really.”

When he is cleared to play, Ndo should bring a good deal to Paul Cook’s side although they have been doing rather well without him. Rovers currently sit in joint third in the league, just a point behind Dundalk and tonight’s opponents and O’Grady reckons they have a squad that is capable of making a major impact this season.

“We’ve enjoyed the Setanta Cup so far and this should be a good game. We’ll certainly be looking to win it because that’s the way we play and it would mean an awful lot to everyone at the club to get to play Bohemians or Linfield in the final.”

Venue: Richmond Park Kick-off: Tonight, 7.45pm