FAI CUP/THIRD ROUND:COMING OFF the back of their biggest defeat of the season, you sense an away trip to a lower league side in the FAI Cup is hardly something Premier Division strugglers Cobh Ramblers will relish.

The unfamiliar surroundings of Morton Stadium against first division newcomers Sporting Fingal, an experienced side in form, scarcely augurs well for Stephen Henderson's side, dispirited after last week's 4-0 drubbing at home to Drogheda United.

On paper, at least, it suggests the most conspicuous potential for a shock, something not lost on the Sporting players. "We had a minor setback in the league last week in Dundalk, but we've put it behind us and this is an ideal match for us before the break," said Sporting defender Philip Byrne of their 3-2 defeat at Oriel Park which ended a run of four wins in five games."

Cobh were knocked out of the competition (on a scoreline of 4-1) by Munster Senior League side Douglas Hall last season and a peculiar fixture twist sees the latter host league champions Drogheda United at Turner's Cross.

"It's a great opportunity to play against the current League of Ireland champions," said Douglas Hall manager CJ Harrington. "I watched them against Cobh last week and they were superb.

"We beat Cobh (last year) and it was months again before they were beaten. But the top teams - the Droghedas, Bohemians, Cork Citys - are a different class. We don't doubt for a minute that we are up against it.

"We fancied ourselves going into the matches against Cobh and Limerick last season. We knew that we were capable of beating Cobh, but we know that we're not as good as Drogheda."

First Division Limerick 37, the side that ended Douglas Hall's run, after a replay, in the third round last year, host holders Cork City, revitalised after their 3-2 league win at Derry City last Sunday.

"The FAI Cup is a terrific competition, and with this being our first (defence) it is an important fixture for us," stressed Cork manager Alan Mathews, who has Colin Healy back from suspension and is also confident George O'Callaghan will have shaken off a virus to be included."

Beaten finalists three times since 1996, and twice in the last five years, the FAI Cup is proving something of a holy grail for St Patrick's Athletic who meet Longford Town, last year's beaten finalists under Mathews, at Richmond Park.

Though they begin their quest for a first win in the competition since 1961 against a Longford side since relegated, and retaining just Shay Kelly and Daire Doyle from last year's first-team squad, St Patrick's manager John McDonnell is wary.

"It's the start of the cup and five wins could see a team with a trophy and qualification for Europe, so we'll be trying to go as far as we can," said McDonnell.

"We're at home, and no disrespect to Longford, but on home ground we've a great chance of making it into the next round. Longford are a revamped young team, they've made a good start to the season and they will be eager. With the cup anything can happen so we will be treating the match with a lot of caution."

Dublin inner city side Liffeys Pearse, effectively of the Leinster Senior League fourth division, travel to 2006 winners Derry City in one of the most endearing ties of the round.

"Unfortunately, we'll have to break the budget to go to Derry," said secretary Anthony Gannon. "But this will be a historic day for the club, so it will be worth it."

Brennan brothers Killian, of Premier Division leaders Bohemians, and Seán, of non-league Drogheda Town, face each other at Dalymount Park.

"Playing against Killian for the first time definitely adds something to the match," said striker Seán, at 22, the younger by two years. "We have been enjoying the build-up, but once we get on to the pitch both of us will be doing our best.

"We've had a great cup run to get this far, doing well in the FAI Intermediate Cup and then obviously beating Avondale in the second round of the senior Cup. For a club like ours to come to Dalymount Park is huge. We all know how big a club Bohs are."

Tonight's fixtures

(7.45 unless stated)

FAI CUP - Third round: Athlone Town v Finn Harps; Bohemians v Drogheda Town (7.30); Derry City v Liffeys Pearse; Douglas Hall v Drogheda Utd; Galway Utd v Waterford Utd; Limerick 37 v Cork City; St Patrick's Ath v Longford Town; Sporting Fingal v Cobh Ramblers; Monaghan Utd v UCD (8.0); Shelbourne v Dundalk (8.0); Wexford Youths v Killester Utd (8.0).