Going Under at Pats & Athlone

Cork City v Bray Wanderers

Just as it looked as if the Cork lads were putting together a title challenge they slipped up again by failing to beat UCD. I don't buy in to the whole 'Belfield is a hard place to get a result' waffle that goes on. UCD are a mid-table Premier Division side at best and have yo-yo-ed up and down between the two divisions as a club characteristic. Title challengers should be taking maximum points at Belfield. Cork have now drawn 6 of their last 8 league games. Another draw tonight will see them kiss goodbye to finishing in the top two and a whole load of 'I told you the squad was too small' ringing in the Corkies ears.

I wouldn't back them at 1/4 if it was a free bet, but you couldn't back Bray to win a rigged coin toss at the moment either. Em....Let's focus on the cup action.

1/4 Cork
7/2 Draw
10/1 Bray



St Patrick's Athletic v Longford Town

A model fixture to get on the low side of goals totals. I'll be having a few quid on under 2.5 goals in the match (that just means less than 3 if you are confounded by what half a goal is!).

There's no doubting that Longford are a different entity when it comes to the cup and are capable of raising their game to beat anyone. Pats on the other hand are the cup's perrenial bridesmaids, and you would have to question their ability to raise their game. The Johnny Mc backside is rapidly approaching the bacon slicer - a defeat tonight would see the first slivers of flesh fly off the wheel. Keith Fahey who has scored in successive games for the Saints is absent.

As is often the case when Pats or Longford games are assessed....it looks a draw.

5/4 St Pats
2/1 Draw
2/1 Longford



Sligo Rovers v Killester Utd

I can't see how Sligo could possibly slip up here - they are too well drilled and focussed in my opinion. But at 1/6 it's best left alone.

1/6 Sligo
9/2 Draw
12/1 Killester



Athlone Town v Shamrock Rovers

This is another fixture where the unders can be played - not a lot of goals in games involving these sides. I'll be on Under 2.5 goals again here.

This is the fourth meeting of the duo this season, with Rovers having won all 3 league encounters on an aggregate score of 7-0 despite being away in the majority of fixtures. Athlone's entire season hangs on this game - it's a massive fixture for them. Live TV cameras in Athlone for a football match is a news story in itself, hosting the biggest name in Irish football in a cup quarter final only wratchets up the importance for the town.

Pat Scully's strict regime will ensure his players are in no doubt about the task facing them in Dubarry Park, but if there is to be an upset in this round of the cup it will be here. It's important to note that Rovers are without several first choice players who are cup-tied. Having said that, the Rovers 'cup side' looked smart enough against Bohemians in the last round. A small bet on Athlone is the recommendation.

11/4 Athlone
9/4 Draw
5/6 Shamrock Rovers




Derry City v UCD

With the magnificent European campaign now off their minds, Derry City can get on with the domestic business of trying to land a treble. The league cup is in the satchel already and the Candystripes awesome home record will be enough to push past UCD and move in to the semi-finals of the FAI Cup.

Those pesky students have caused Derry a few problems this season however, forcing a scoreless draw in two of their three league meetings. Pete Mahon will surely have a plan ready to foil the Foylesiders but City should be too worldly wise and the students may even get a little lesson at The Brandywell.


1/3 Derry
3/1 Draw
15/2 UCD

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