SOCCER:SLIGO ROVERS were last night handed what looks, on paper, be a straightforward enough start to the defence of the Ford-sponsored FAI Cup with Paul Cook's side set to kick off against Limerick's Pike Rovers at the Showgrounds.
“We’re delighted with the draw, to be at home first and foremost,” said Rovers boss Paul Cook. “Pike are a new name to me, we’ll have to do a bit of research on them. Hopefully, we’ll get through.
“These games are very important to clubs, successful cup runs are a big thing, and we’ll have to do our homework properly and give them the utmost respect they deserve.”
Only one of the third round ties involves top-flight sides playing each other, with Seán Connor having to take his struggling Galway United side back to former club Dundalk, who have already beaten the Terryland Park outfit twice in the league this season.
Other highlights include the game between St Patrick’s Athletic and near-neighbours Crumlin United – the Leinster Senior League outfit have, initially at least, been given home advantage, and Derry City’s visit to Ferrycarrig Park where Stephen Kenny’s side were easy winners in the 2008 League Cup final.
“Now that Mick Wallace is a TD I’ll lobby him for some funding when I’m there,” joked Kenny. That’ll be a tough away venue for us. We beat them (6-1) a couple of years ago, but we’ve a different team now.”
Last year’s beaten finalists, Shamrock Rovers, kick-off at home to Athlone Town, while a handful of the other non-league sides get a crack at Premier Division sides at home, with Midleton’s meeting with Cork City perhaps the pick of those fixtures.
