Pats & Derry the Cup Punts

Waterford United v Sligo Rovers

In form Sligo Rovers take a depleted squad to the RSC. Conor O'Grady and Keith Foy join Daniel Ventre on the suspended list as the conqerors of Shamrock Rovers in the last round attempt to take their league form into the country's premier knockout competition. The Blues have issues of their own, not least their record of five defeats in their last six league outings. But strange things happen in cup football - Shane Harte misses out through injury, Dave Mulcahy is cup-tied and Dave Warren is suspended. None of that seems strange at all on reflection. The 7/5 against Sligo at BetChronicle is a decent offer.

Previous meetings:
Waterford United 1-2 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 20 Jul 07 View Details
Sligo Rovers 1-1 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2007 28 Apr 07 View Details
Sligo Rovers 0-0 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2006 14 Oct 06 View Details Waterford United 1-2 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 14 Jul 06 View Details
Sligo Rovers 3-1 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2006 15 Apr 06 View Details

Stan James Prices
Waterford 2/1
Draw 2/1
Sligo 5/4


Limerick 37 v Douglas Hall

Paul McGee's side have suffered from slippage lately, one point from the last nine available is the kind of form that will have the 2nd round's giant-killers rubbing their hands in anticipation of further glory. Having rattled four past Cobh Ramblers in the previous round this Douglas Hall team need not fear Lims, who are without the cup-tied Tommy Barrett, the injured Wayne Colbert and Paul Danagher who is suspended. Stephen O'Donnell misses out for the visitors; he's had to be content with a trip to Thailand as part of the Irish Universities squad. I don't know enough about the non-league side to wager on this game.

Previous meetings:
No recent meetings between these sides

Stan James Prices:
Limerick 1/3
Draw 3/1
Douglas 15/2


Bray Wanderers v St. Patrick's Athletic

Derek Tyrrell, Paul Dunphy and Paul Caffrey are out for Bray. Colm Tresson and John Broderick are 50/50. Clive Delaney and Mark Duggan saw red last week and sit this one out also. Eddie Gormley has yet to put one over on his alma mater since taking the tiller at the Carlisle Grounds but his talented young squad possess the ability to spring a surprise. Can Pats go one better than last season? With the title slipping further into the fog, the cup represents Johnny Mc's last chance of showing progression with some silverware this term. Both sides will welcome the distraction following some indifferent recent league form. Pats to win, the 11/10 generally on offer is a remarkable price, it must be taken.

Previous meetings:
Bray Wanderers 0-0 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2007 22 Jun 07 View Details
St Patricks Athletic 3-1 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 30 Mar 07 View Details
St Patricks Athletic 5-1 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 20 Oct 06 View Details
Bray Wanderers 1-2 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2006 23 Jul 06 View Details
St Patricks Athletic 3-0 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 19 Apr 06 View Details


Stan James Prices
Bray 3/1
Draw 9/4
Pats 4/5


Cork City v Kilkenny City

Another boss at a big club who needs to take the bare look of the trophy cabinet is el Rico. The time has come for his side to exhibit their quality against inferior opposition. Tommy Gaynor's arrival at Buckley Park has certainly livened things up and his squad report a clean bill of health following last week's victory over Limerick 37. Darren Murphy and Brian O'Callaghan are back in contention for a Cork side which has failed to win its last four games. Not one for betting.

Previous meetings:
No recent meetings between these two sides

Stan James Prices
Cork 1/6
Draw 9/2
Kilkenny 12/1


Finn Harps v Derry City

What's sure to be an internecine clash at Finn Park has captured the imagination of the Northwest's footballing fraternity, and sorority. Harps' top scorer Conor Gethins returns from a one game ban, as does Elokah Asokuh. Sean Hargan is available for the visitors, for whom Barry Molloy is suspended. City have rediscovered their goalscoring touch, but will need to be at their peak to slow down one of the country's most confident sides. 11/10 with Will Hill against Derry is a very tempting price, and I'll be taking some of it.

Previous meetings:
No recent meetings between these two sides

Stan James Prices
Harps 3/1
Draw 9/4
Derry 4/5


Longford Town v Fanad United

Longford's three game winning run with no clothes on was ended by the Candystripes last weekend; they should have enough in reserve to see off the challenge of Fanad United. Alan Matthews is a past master when it comes to winning cups and should have his troops naked and ready to begin another winning streak. Again I'm swerving a game involving a non-league side.

Previous meetings:
No recent meetings between these two sides

Stan James Prices
Longford 3/10
Draw 7/2
Fanad 15/2


Malahide United v Bohemians

Malahide welcome top drawer opposition for the second successive year in the FAI Cup to North County Dublin. Last year Pats did the needful; the Gypsys will be expected to do the same against the out of season amateurs.

Previous meetings:
No recent meetings between these two sides

Stan James Prices
Malahide 9/1
Draw 4/1
Bohs 2/9