Injury-plagued Galway banking on Murphy for goals
First choice stopper Robert Forde is suffering with an ankle knock while third choice goalkeeper Eoin Martyn faces a fitness test on his calf before taking his place on the bench. Reserve goalkeeper John Burke is definitely ruled out with a broken finger.
Also out is suspended Tony Folan and defender Ciaran Foley, on loan from Longford and thus ineligible. However, Alan Murphy, Adrian Carberry and Colin Fortune have all overcome a flu virus and are fit. Striker Murphy is the top scorer in Ireland with 17 goals already this season and Longford boss Matthews believes, despite being a division below the Flancare men, they will prove to be a difficult side to play against.
"I've seen Galway and they're a very good team with a lot of experience. Alan Murphy is a fantastic player the top scorer in the country this season, and I think they are very unfortunate not to be in the Premier Division after making the play-off final last season."
Galway boss Tony Mannion is playing the underdog card but believes his side can have no complaints "It's one of the best draws we could hope for and it's good for football because it guarantees that a provincial club will be in the final.
"I think Longford are further down the road than us but it's a one-off game and anything can happen. I know we're the underdog but we went to Sligo and won there also."
Tonight's clash is Longford's third semi-final in four seasons having reached the 2001 FAI Cup final.
They're without Darragh Sheridan and Brian Byrne while Barry Ferguson and Eric Levine are suspended. Meanwhile, Shelbourne have also been hit with an injury crisis as they attempt to stretch their lead at the top of the Premier Division with victory over bottom club UCD at Belfield Park tonight at 7.45pm.
Ruled out by injuries are striker Jason Byrne Jim Crawford, striker Stephen Geoghegan and defender Jim Gannon Defender Dave Rogers is out with a one-match ban.
Manager Pat Fenlon gives call ups to some of the victorious Enda McGuill U21 Cup squad Conor Kenna, Derek Dunne and Alan Kinsella.
"We were disappointed to lose to 1-0 to Bohemians at Dalymount Park last Monday. But that was only our second defeat in 22 games now we have to get back on the winning track against UCD," said Fenlon.
Cork City will be hoping to keep up the momentum for a place in European football next season with victory over Waterford in the big Munster derby clash at Turner's Cross.
Striker, John O'Flynn, is still has a knee ligament injury that has kept him out of the last three league games.
In his absence George O'Callaghan has prospered in recent victories over Longford Town and Shamrock Rovers that have brought Cork up to third place in the Premier Division table.
Manager Pat Dolan may give a place on the bench to left sided midfielder Michael Nwamkwo, a Nigerian who previously played in Egyptian side Emppi Sporting Club.
Another Nigerian, Chedozie Ukah, has also signed for Cork but is unlikely to figure until next week at the earliest after his move from Poland.
"We are very much back in the hunt for a European place after those recent wins. Now we mustn't make any mistake against Waterford although these derby games are always very close affairs," said Dolan.
Waterford boss Jimmy McGeough is likely to keep the same side that recorded a surprise win 2-1 victory over Bohemians at the RSC last week with Neal Fenn and Darryl Murphy again spearheading the attack.
But there is still no return for central defender Willie Byrne (groin) and midfielder Brian Mallon (ankle).
In the First Division, Finn Harps take on Kildare County at Finn Park looking to go top of the table, for 24 hours at least.
*Lansdowne Road has been confirmed as the venue for this season's FAI Carlsberg Cup final.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
