`Trying to crucify me'

THE blue riband of the domestic game has meandered along interestingly, but almost shock free. There was a couple of replayed first round derbies (Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda Dundalk) out of which Shelbourne have emerged in the last eight.

True, Finn Harps raised a few eyebrows by beating Athlone, Kilkenny won at UCD and Wayside eventually overcame Waterford. But this is the only example thus far of a junior club acquiring a National League scalp as otherwise the form book has pretty much held up. Hence, accompanying Shelbourne into the last eight are the other members of the elite quartet - St Patrick's, Bohemians and Sligo who have pulled clear in the Premier Division.

Intriguingly though, all have been drawn away from home. Tie of the round is the repeat of last year's final between Derry City and Shelbourne, while Sligo travel to their alter-egos Cork. The essence of Cup fare, meanwhile, will be provided tonight when a jammed Finn Park witnesses Finn Harps' tie with Bohemians and tomorrow when non-league Wayside Celtic entertain St Patrick's at Belfield Park.