Cup final hero Kelly returns

SOCCER: FAI FORD CUP: Monaghan Utd v Sligo Rovers: SLIGO ROVERS have Brendan Clarke suspended for tonight’s fourth round replay…

SOCCER: FAI FORD CUP: Monaghan Utd v Sligo Rovers:SLIGO ROVERS have Brendan Clarke suspended for tonight's fourth round replay against Monaghan United at Gortakeegan Stadium, while Alan Keane misses out for the visitors with a thigh strain but should be fit again in time for Saturday's league game against Derry City.

Ciarán Kelly, Rovers’ hero in the penalty shoot-out at the end of last year’s final, will come in for Clarke.

United, meanwhile, are without Jordan Keegan and David Byrne (cup-tied), Eric Foley and Keith Quinn (suspended), Conor McMahon (injured) and Willo McDonagh (ineligible).

“We created chances last Saturday, we put balls into the box and quite easily could have won the game,” says Rovers boss Paul Cook. “It didn’t go in for us on the night but, if we keep doing that, we will score goals to win matches.”

The winners will face Shamrock Rovers or UCD.

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Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times