Doolin looking to build on Hoops performance against Sligo

THE only all Premier Division clash in tonight’s menu of FAI Ford Cup Third Round fixtures sees Cork City host Sligo Rovers at Turner’s Cross (all games kick-off 7.45pm).

City, winners of the trophy in 2007, will be looking for their first victory in four games after their fine unbeaten run in the league ended with successive defeats to Bohemians and Drogheda United.

But, going into cup battle, manager Paul Doolin says he was heartened by the team’s showing in last week’s scoreless draw with Shamrock Rovers.

“You can’t ask for any more than we did apart from scoring a goal,” said Doolin. “We deserved the three points because we were very good, but there is a long way to go and at least we gained a point on Bohemians. We’ve looked at the video of the game and identified some mistakes that we made. I feel at times we have caused ourselves problems in our approach and we have worked on a number of things in training this week, so hopefully that will show in our performance tonight.”

Midfielders Joe Gamble and Stephen O’ Donnell are suspended for the game while Robert Mezeckis and Davin O’Neill miss out through injury.

“The FAI Cup is a good competition and one I certainly have fond memories of,” said Doolin. “As a player I was fortunate enough in the Cup over the years and as a manager it was the first trophy I won, so it is certainly a competition that has some sentimental value for me.”

Sligo go into the game on the back of a 0-1 defeat to Derry and amid fresh speculation about the financial stability of the club.

However, a spokesperson has said that, having appeared on a list of Revenue Commissioners tax defaulters, the club have reached an agreement to settle a debt of just over €50,000.

Derry City who knocked Cork out of the competition last year, only to lose out in a classic final against Bohemians, welcome non-league Ballymun United to the Brandywell for a real David v Goliath clash.

But Candystripes boss Stephen Kenny is not taking the Dublin minnows for granted.

“Our team have been playing well of late – we’ve kept four clean sheets in-a-row – which is a positive and obviously we would like that to continue,” he said. “But Ballymun deserve respect and are having a good season themselves so our attitude needs to be good if we are to progress.”

‘The Mun’ are not the only non-leaguers looking to defy the odds on a night when, apart from Mayfield United facing the daunting task of taking on the league champions and cup holders Bohemians in Dalymount Park, Blarney United are at home to Sporting Fingal, Arklow Town host UCD and Bluebell United visit Bray Wanderers.

Elsewhere, the First Division goes up against the Premier Division, with Limerick and Mervue United both at home to, respectively, Saint Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk.