FAI Cup First Round Previews

Today

Derry City v Rockmount (7.30)

Having REACHED this stage for the ninth time and been drawn away for the ninth time, Rockmount, the club where Roy Keane kicked off his career, make the long journey to the Brandywell in the hope of causing what would be the upset of the round.

The southerners are a young outfit, the average age is just 21, but they earned their place at this stage of the competition by beating Glenmore Celtic and Felix Healy make it clear that he will be giving them the respect that they deserve.

He will be better placed to deal with the challenge they present than in recent weeks, though, as Liam Coyle returns from suspension for the game, while there is a chance that Gavin Dykes will shrug off a combination of groin and hamstring pulls to play.

The visitors have central defenders Philip Hogan and Paul O'Brien back in defence after recent injury problems and joint manager Noel Burke is hopeful that, at full strength, his side can cause the league champions a few problems.

"We're under no illusions about our chances of winning the cup, but we're a fast, fit team and if we can take the ball down and play it around, we should turn in a good performance up there."

Five-year cup form: Derry: S,F,W,Q,F; Rockmount: DNQ,DNQ,DNQ,DNQ,2.

Betting: Home: 1/10, Draw: 7/1, Away: 12/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 13th, 2.00 p.m.

Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).

Finn Harps v Bray Wanderers (7.30)

"The ground being the way it is should suit a team coming up to defend," says Harps manager Charlie McGeever, who will have problems at the back himself due to the suspension of Davie Dowling and Jonathan Minnock.

Stuart Gauld and Donal O'Brien are fit again after being doubtful for the trip to Cork and the home side will be expecting a big crowd for a game which they will be hoping will set them off on a bit of a cup run.

Bray's confidence, McGeever admits, however, will be a good deal higher than for any of last season's encounters when they were struggling at the foot of the table. However, they are suffering from one or two problems of their own just now. John Walsh, the former Harps goalkeeper, is doubtful due to a groin strain, while Richie Parsons has been ill this week and may not have recovered in time to start. Pat Devlin will also be hoping that Graham O'Hanlon and Jody Lynch can start university exams slightly early in order to be available.

Five-year cup form: Harps: 1,2,1,Q,1; Bray: 1,2,1,1,Q.

Betting: Home: 8/11, Draw: 9/4, Away: 10/3.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 7.45 p.m.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Kilkenny City v UCD (7.30)

Relegation rivals, neither of these two have done much in the cup in recent seasons, but neither will want to lose a game that will carry a good deal of psychological importance.

City should have Paul Cashin back in the centre of midfield, but Pierce Walsh is cup-tied, having already played for Whitehall Rangers in this year's competition. Recent signing Ray Carolan is ineligible to play in this round.

The students will field much the same team that lost 3-1 to Shelbourne over the weekend with everybody, except Tony McDonnell who has a hamstring problem, in the reckoning to play.

Five-year cup form: Kilkenny: 1,2,1,2,1; UCD: 2,1,1,1,1.

Betting: Home: 7/2, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/6.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 7.30 p.m.

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Cobh Wanderers v Galway Utd (St Colman's Park 7.30)

Like A lot of other managers, a home draw was as much as George Mellerick dared to hope for when the draw for this round was made, but now, acutely aware of the pressure on his First Division opponents, the former Cobh Ramblers boss will be looking to guide an experienced panel of players through to the last 16 of the competition.

"I don't envy them because in their shoes, if you win, you get no real credit, but if you lose, you're a mug," says the home side's boss.

The hosts, whose real ambition for the year is simply to reach the Premier Division of the Munster Senior League, have no real injury problems - which means they are somewhat better off than their opponents.

Don O'Riordan described the squad for last week's trip to Bray as a little like a youth squad, but things are better for the journey south with Billy Clery, Jumbo Brennan and Gareth Coleman all coming back into contention.

But Ronan Killeen is out for the rest of the season with a ruptured cruciate ligament, while Ryan Lucas will be missing for a couple of months with a variation on the same problem.

Five-year cup form: Cobh: Have not qualified; Galway: 1,1,2,1,1.

Betting: Home: 6/1, Draw: 11/4, Away: 2/5.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 7.30 p.m.

Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

Home Farm Everton v Home Farm (7.30)

These two camps could be easily spotted at the draw a few weeks back by their long faces, but the historic nature of this tie has taken on a certain romance as the kick-off gets closer.

The amateur club's players have, of course, never been disappointed by being pitted against their old first team and they will, says manager Derek Duggan, be anxious to prove that, when the clubs were one, many of them should have been featuring in the National League action.

Duggan has one serious injury problem, with Stephen Kenny the victim of a collision in a friendly game against Whitehall Rangers early in the week that was only arranged because neither side had played any games over the Christmas.

Full back Jason Kendellan is back again after several weeks out with a knee problem, but is likely to start the game on the bench.

Dermot Keely's side, meanwhile, should be at full strength and having been disappointed by their failure to mount a stronger challenge for promotion, he will be desperate to see them produce a decent run in the cup.

Five-year cup form: HFE: 2,Q,2,2,2; HF: First time to reach this stage.

Betting: Home: 2/5, Draw: 11/4, Away: 6/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 13th, 7.30 p.m.

Referee: J Breen (Dublin).

Athlone Town v College Corinthians (7.45)

Paul Hall is definitely missing from the host side, but aside from that, Liam Buckley is hoping to be at full strength for the visit of one of the trickier-looking non-league outfits to make to the first round proper of this year's competition.

Buckley himself (thigh strain), Stephen Lally (knee), Johnny Morris-Burke (groin) and Mickey Collins (hamstring) are all doubtful, but the Athlone boss is hopeful that, come kick-off time, all will have recovered sufficiently to take their place if required.

Corinthians manager Fergus McDaid rates top scorer Len Downey's chances of playing as no better than 50-50 due to a stomach problem, while central defender Pat Maher is definitely out with a calf strain. Nevertheless, he is in hopeful mood thanks to strong performances in recent times by former Cork City striker Eric Hogan as well as Paul Byrd and Ciaran O'Connor in midfield.

Seven or eight of this team were around a few years ago when the club beat Bray and they'll be aiming to repeat the trick this evening.

Five-year cup form: Athlone: 2,1,1,2,1; Corinthians: 1,1,2,DNQ,DNQ.

Betting: Home: 2/5, Draw: 11/4, Away: 6/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 2.0 p.m.

Referee: T Traynor (Dublin).

Sunday

Wayside Celtic v Longford Town (2.0)

The most obvious potential "shock" of the round with Wayside bringing a reputation as giantkillers to a game against a club which has already started to look towards next season.

Michael O'Connor's outfit will want a big second-round tie just as much as Peter Lennon's, though, and with no injuries or suspensions to worry about, the visitors might just have the edge.

Confidence, however, will be the home side's key advantage. Lennon saw Town against Bray recently and was impressed with their determination early on. He will be looking to his side, which has a substantially different look to it compared to last season, to get forward and finish the tie at the first attempt. Only centre half Padraig Mooney is out (with a broken arm) and Dave Sexton is likely to start in his place.

Five-year cup form: Wayside: DNQ,DNQ,1,Q,2; Longford: 1,1,2,1,1.

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 9/4, Away: 3/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 7.30 p.m.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Fanad United v Whitehall Rangers (2.0)

When the draw was being made, recalls Whitehall manager Fran Hitchcock, and Fanad came out of the hat, the colour drained from the faces of a few league club managers and nobody will envy the Dublin side's task tomorrow.

Fanad are a big tough side, but with his side likely to be at full strength despite minor knocks being carried by Ian Woods and Tony O'Kelly, Hitchcock is confident that his team, which includes a couple of the 1990 St Francis line up, will be well capable of looking after themselves.

Eamon McConigley, meanwhile, is delighted to bring somebody up to Traigh a Locha, where they hope they can further embellish a fine cup record which has been constructed with the help of their annual participation in the north western league cup group - in which three of the country's strongest sides regularly find United a bit more than they'd bargained for.

Five-year cup form: Fanad: 1,1,1,2,DNQ; Whitehall: DNQ,1,DNQ,DNQ,1.

Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 2.0 p.m.

Referee: S Devanney (Donegal).

Sligo Rovers v Mervue United (3.30)

How Rovers manager Nicky Reid could do with a cup run now that they appear destined to finish anonymously somewhere in the middle of the league table. Last week's defeat of St Patrick's will have boosted morale in the camp, but Reid admits his men rode their luck a little and need to be more convincing this weekend.

The home side will keep faith with last week's strikeforce, Marcus Hallows and Sean Flannery, who did so well at Richmond Park, but things may be shaken up a little elsewhere. One certain change is Neil Ogden's return to midfield. Having served his suspension, he will replace Lee Thew, who is just starting his.

Mervue, meanwhile, must wait until close to the starting time to see if centre forward Ollie Keogh has recovered sufficiently from a groin strain to start. "Otherwise," says manager Mike long, "I'll just be hoping that the lads can rise to the occasion. A cup is all about who does it on the day and hopefully, we'll be the ones to perform."

Five-year cup form: Sligo: Q,W,S,S,2; Mervue: Have not qualified.

Betting: Home: 1/6, Draw: 4/1, Away: 12/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 7.30 p.m. (Terryland Park)

Referee: T Tully (Cork).

St Francis v Cherry Orchard (2.0)

A great footballing rivalry continues at Baldonnel tomorrow where Orchard will be hoping that their generally good record against their neighbours is continued.

The Leinster Senior League outfit have doubts over Paul Kenny (knee) and Colm Nataro (hamstring), but John Wilkes is still hoping that both will make it. Several former Saint Francis players, including Kenny, Tom Cullen and Jim Smith, are likely to figure against their old side.

That, admits Pete Mahon, will in itself help to psych the visitors up, but he actually sees the fact that many of his current panel were not around when the two clubs used to run into each other on a regular basis as an advantage. "They won't have any hang-ups about Cherry Orchard, they'll just be another non-league team who they should beat," he says.

The hosts have problems of other sorts, though, with John Swift, Park Patton and Colm Talbout all injured or unavailable. Derek Waters, Paul Irwin and Norl Griffin are likely to be the ones to come in.

Five-year cup form: St Francis: DNQ,DNQ,DNQ,DNQ,2; Orchard: DNQ,DNQ,DNQ,1,DNQ.

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 2/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 7.30 p.m. (Iveagh Grounds).

Referee: P Mooney (Waterford).

Monaghan United v Cobh Ramblers (3.15)

Neither side will be at full strength for another of those ties which brings together sides who are already familiar with each other.

Liam McMahon must cope with the loss of Tom Cregoe and top scorer Ruari O'Connor. He may call on William Byrne and Ruari's brother David instead. American-based student Richard Fleming will partner Tony Izzi up front.

Tom O'Connor has problems of his own with Derek Nugent and Aaron Shearer, as well as Terry Murphy, on the doubtful or missing lists.

Local teenager Andy Traynor may get a start while another youngster Jonathan Douglas, who recently had a trial at Celtic, will probably figure at some point.

Five-year cup form: Monaghan: 1,Q,2,1,1; Cobh: 2,Q,1,1,1.

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 7/4, Away: 7/4.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 7.30 p.m.

Referee: J O'Reilly (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Limerick (3.15)

Limerick, they say, are coming to town to dump the holders out, but they could be in better shape for a clash with the best side in the country at the moment.

For the last couple of months, the Rathbane outfit have been struggling to cope with a whole series of problems and this weekend is no exception.

Dave Connell will be without Derek Whyte and Ray O'Halloran for quite some time to come due to recent operations, while a third centre half, Eddie Walsh, is suspended.

Jason Purcell is said to be 50-50 with a groin strain, while Albert Finnan is only coming back from an ankle injury and will probably have to play despite not being 100 per cent. Striker Jason O'Connor pulled a thigh muscle in training during the week and is doubtful too.

If Finnan is fit, he will be partnered in the centre by Anthony Tobin, if O'Connor does not make it Howie King will definitely start, although he stands a good chance of doing so anyway. Declan Casey will come in at left full back and Paul O'Donnell will come in on the right.

The Dubliners, meanwhile, still have doubts about the fitness of Tony McCarthy (hamstring) and Stephen Geoghegan (groin), who have continued to play in recent weeks despite the problems and, presumably, will do so again.

Damien Richardson admits that another run, the club are going for three in a row, might well prove a distraction from the priority of winning the league but, he sighs, "what a wonderful distraction it is".

Five-year cup form: Shelbourne: W,1,F,W,W; Limerick: Q,Q,S,1,2.

Betting: Home: 1/5, Draw: 4/1, Away: 10/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 2.0 p.m.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Dundalk v Swilly Rovers (3.15)

No real change here from Thursday when the game had to be postponed due to heavy rainfall in the hours before the scheduled kick-off. Peter Withnell is likely to start alongside Ian Ferguson for the hosts, with Brian Byrne dropping back into midfield and Paul Carlyle returning - although only as far as the bench.

Swilly have John Gregg back after suspension and may benefit from the delay as they will hope to bring a good few more with them for a match which Jim McLaughlin would be very happy to safely see the back of.

Five-year cup form: Dundalk: F,2,Q,1,2; Swilly: Have not qualified.

Betting: Home: 1/6, Draw: 4/1, Away: 12/1.

Possible replay date: Jan 14th, 2.0 p.m.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power (Key to cup form: F - final; S - semi-finals; Q - quarterfinals; 2 - second round; 1 - first round; DNQ - did not qualify)