Unpredictable tie attracts

THE two managers involved may liken the match to a roll of the dice, but this evening's Harp Lager FAI Cup second-round tie between Waterford United and Shamrock Rovers has certainly caught the imagination of the locals with anything up to 6,500 spectators expected at the Regional Sports Centre for the visit of Pat Byrne's side.

Most of the tickets for the game have already been sold and the rest are expected to go on the night as the club reaps the benefit of the team and ground development they have carried out over the past couple of seasons.

"It will be the biggest crowd that we have had since moving. There is a great buzz about the place and we are hoping to build on it by winning promotion and proving to the big Dublin clubs that we have the support to compete with them," said club chairman Bertie Roger last night.

On the pitch, it seems, there is consensus that just about anything could happen. "They are the Premier Division's version of us," says United manager Tommy Lynch, "a model of inconsistency.

The game could, he admits, even produce a repeat of the sort of drama that Rovers first-round, nine-goal defeat of Limerick. "We can score goals," he says, "but, God, at times we can concede them as well."

Lynch's opposite number, Pat Byrne, admits that the Cup is now his side's only chance of tasting some glory this season, but he hopes that they can come through tonight's clash with just a little less drama than he has been growing used to of late.

"We've been creating an awful lot of chances and we've come "from behind again Bray, in the Cup against Limerick and the other night against Sligo, but - watching it hasn't been too good for me. For once, I'd settle for a nice boring 2-0 lead which we just hang on to."

James Coll, meanwhile, succeeded yesterday in obtaining a High Court injunction preventing the FAI from imposing a suspension on him for his sending off in Derry until a full hearing of the case can be held. Unfortunately for Coll, however, he will not be able to play this evening anyway as he is one of three players who will miss the game through injury. One other player is suspended and, a fifth, Tommy Gaynor, is cup tied.