Ian Baraclough
has called on his
Sligo Rovers
players to revive the spirit that won them the competition last year as they begin their defence of the
FAI Cup
at
Dundalk
tonight.
Having suffered six defeats already in the league this season, Sligo, champions in 2012, are way off the pace in the title race. And now the cup holders couldn’t have been given a tougher first hurdle in trying to retain the trophy, away to the in-form league leaders, who played them off the same park in beating them 3-0 just a fortnight ago.
“We have to learn from where our deficiencies were against Shamrock Rovers, but also last week’s game as well,” said Baraclough citing last Sunday’s home defeat to the Dublin side which followed their most recent visit to Oriel Park.
“If we go in there (believing) that we’re lambs to the slaughter, that’s exactly what will happen. We’re FAI Cup champions. We earned that tag for a reason . .
Baraclough makes a change in midfield due to the suspension of David Cawley while defender Gavin Peers remains out injured.
Dundalk have soared to the top of the league table, scoring 23 goals in six straight league wins, though Sligo did beat them 1-0 in the final of the Setanta Sports Cup along the way.
"We've kept ourselves right up there and we are just enjoying ourselves at the moment. Every win is a good win," said Dundalk winger Daryl Horgan.
“The FAI Cup is something different and it will be a different kind of game against Sligo. They are the holders, so it doesn’t get much more difficult. But we are glad of the break from league games - it’s a great competition.”
Minor surgery
As well as their long-term injured captain, Stephen O’Donnell, Dundalk are without striker Patrick Hoban who has undergone minor surgery on a knee and will be out until after the summer break.
Being at home to competition debutants Cockhill Celtic of the Ulster Senior League will come as a welcome relief for Drogheda United. Beaten 6-0 at St Patrick’s Athletic on Monday, last year’s losing finalists are on a shocking run of nine defeats in ten league games.
A knee injury continues to keep defender Derek Foran out of St Patrick’s Athletic’s defence as they prepare to face Leinster Senior League side St. Patrick’s CY at Richmond Park.
Any potential shocks are likely elsewhere with in-form Galway, second in the First Division and unbeaten in seven, at UCD while Bray Wanderers must also be wary of Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park.
