Cup Previews

Today

Athlone Town v Longford Town (7.30)

This one is even more of a derby than it appears, with seven of the visiting side coming from Athlone, as does manager Michael O'Connor, who will be looking to upset his old club this evening.

The home side will be without Keith Colsh and Ray McLoughlin, who are suspended, while Johnny Morris Burke will almost certainly miss out due to a groin strain. Liam Buckley has plenty of options, however, and says he will "juggle things a bit" with two from Gordan Brett, Keith Hogan and Billy Hoey likely to start.

O'Connor, meanwhile, must wait on Kieran Rooney who is receiving treatment for a knee problem, but expects the 29year-old to be fit for the club's biggest match of the season.

Route to quarter-finals: Athlone beat College Corinthians 3-0 at home and Shamrock Rovers 2-1 at home; Longford beat Wayside Celtic 1-0 away after extra time in second replay and Whitehall Rangers 1-0 at home.

Possible replay date: Wednesday, March 11th, at Strokestown Road (7.30).

Betting: Home: 8 to 11, Draw: 9 to 4, Away: 4 to 1.

Referee: J O'Neill.

Shield Final - First leg (7.30)

Home Farm Everton v Cobh Ramblers

The Dubliners will be missing Val Keenan and Brendan Place for this evening's game which will mark the Munster side's first appearance in a senior cup final.

"I know it doesn't quite carry the same weight as the other cups," says Cobh's Ian Butterworth, "but we've had to win some tough matches to get this far and we'll be taking it pretty seriously."

His cause is helped by the return of Liam O'Connor, Willie Byrne and Keith Dalton, and, he says, by the fact that, since he arrived his team have done far better away from home. "It's something I'll have to do something about." Although not, one suspects, quite yet.

Tomorrow

Cork City v Sligo Rovers (2.0)

Neither side is in great shape for this clash, but with only a couple of players expected to miss out Dave Barry can consider himself comparatively well off. Patsy Freyne (foot) and Noel Hartigan (ankle) are expected to sit this one out, with Fergus O'Donoghue likely to start in the centre of midfield again while Jason Kabia comes back into the starting line-up.

The Sligo list of problems is considerably more extensive, with Mark Hutchison suspended, Nicky Reid carrying a hamstring problem and goalkeeper Nicky Brujos having picked up a bad gash on the knee during training this week.

Neil Ogden is still suffering from a thigh strain, Brian Southworth has a foot injury and Conor O'Grady and Padraig Moran have hamstring and calf strains respectively. "Apart from that," chuckles Brujos, "we're fine".

Route to quarter-finals: Cork beat Bohemians 1-0 away and Derry 10 away in replay; Sligo beat Mervue United 2-0 in replay and St Francis 20 at home.

Possible replay date: Wednesday, March 11th, at the Showgrounds (7.30).

Betting: Home: 6 to 4, Draw: 7 to 4, Away: 9 to 4.

Referee: J Feighery.

UCD v Finn Harps (3.15)

John Martin and Terry Palmer are the main concerns for the home side's management team. The former took a bad blow to the head in last weekend's win over Kilkenny, while Palmer, who played in that game despite injury, is still suffering from an ankle problem.

If Palmer fails to make it, Aaron Lynch may drop back into the centre of defence. Martin would be likely to be replaced out on the left by either Mick O'Donnell or Robert McAuley. Mick O'Byrne may yet be pushed up front alongside Jason Sherlock as UCD try to avoid a midweek replay in Donegal.

That, however, is something the visitors would happily settle for, although Charlie McGeever is hopeful that, with virtually a full squad at his disposal, his men can pull it off at the first attempt.

Jonathon Speak and Tom Callaghan are back in the reckoning for a start but no decision will be made on the 11 until after a light training session in Dublin tomorrow morning.

Route to quarter-finals: UCD beat Kilkenny 3-1 away and Home Farm Everton 1-0 away in replay; Finn Harps beat Bray 2-0 at home and Galway United 3-1 at home in replay.

Possible replay date: Wednesday, March 11th, at Finn Park (7.30).

Betting: Home: 2 to 1, Draw: 7 to 4, Away: 13 to 8.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).