O'Neill cautious but keen to make changes

SOCCER/SETANTA CUP/Shamrock Rovers (3) v Lisburn Distillery (0):HAVING WON the first leg rather easily a week ago, Shamrock Rovers should wrap up their place in the semi-finals of the Setanta Sports Cup in Tallaght this evening when they take on Lisburn Distillery again.

Despite having made a bright start to the competition when they beat UCD over two legs in the opening round, Lisburn Distillery’s hopes of progressing any further looked dead after last Monday’s game.

The Dubliners won 3-0 away with goals by Ciarán Kilduff, Karl Sheppard and Dean Kelly, and given their 100 per cent record to date in the league, clinching their place in the last four should be little more than a formality for Michael O’Neill’s side although the Northerner is not taking anything for granted.

“We have to finish the job although we did very well up there,” he says. “The lads that came in did well and are all chomping at the bit to start games in the league. We made nine changes to the team that played in Sligo and I’d envisage it will be along those lines again on Tuesday night.

“The Setanta Cup has come at the right time for us, with the start we’ve had (in the league), people are going to have to be patient but it gives us the ability to keep those players as match fit as possible, so we’ll change the team again.

“It’s our first home game in the competition too, so that’s a milestone for us. We’re in a strong position going into the game, as we did well last week and got the 3-0 lead. But we have to make sure we finish the job tomorrow night.”

O’Neill still has one or two injury concerns ahead of the game. Central defender Craig Sives faces another late fitness test on a hamstring problem after having been omitted from the squad for Friday’s win over St Patrick’s Athletic, while Chris Turner, who played and scored in that match, is a doubt too for this one with a similar injury.

Former Northern Ireland goalkeeper Tommy Wright, whose side currently lie fifth in the Irish League and well off the pace, is also expected to shuffle things a bit for the visit to Dublin after making five changes to his team ahead of Saturday’s 2-0 defeat by title chasing Linfield.

Rovers have reduced ticket prices for the game with admission for adults costing just €10 and kids getting in for half that. Tickets will be available outside the ground.