Doolin confident Cork City can secure passage against Sligo

CORK CITY’S trip to Sligo Rovers is one of three FAI Ford Cup third round replays down for decision tonight (The Showgrounds, 7.45).

Drogheda United will host Shamrock Rovers at United Park (7.45), the sides having drawn 1-1 on Saturday night, while Monaghan United will take on Leinster Senior League side Cherry Orchard at Kingspan Century Park after Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw in Dublin (kick-off 8pm).

Friday evening’s 2-2 draw at Turner’s Cross was Cork City’s fourth game without a win but, with Sligo having dominated the second half, manager Paul Doolin accepted the result was merited by the visitors, who came from behind twice to deny his side victory.

“I think a draw was probably a fair result, but the important thing is that we are still in the cup. Sligo is a tough place to go, but I think we played quite well when we went up there at the start of the season and were unlucky not to come away with a victory. We will travel with the belief we can win through to the next round.”

Stephen O’Donnell returns from suspension, but Doolin will have to plan without the services of Robert Mezeckis and Davin O’Neill, along with midfielder Joe Gamble who misses out as he recovers from a knee injury.

For Sligo, Stephen Parkhouse is out long term and Sean Holmes received an ankle injury on Friday and is a major doubt. Midfielder Conor O’Grady will return from suspension to face his former club.

Meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers will travel to Drogheda without Sean Webb, who remains sidelined due a back problem. Darragh Maguire and Aidan Price (knee) are unlikely to be available, Padraig Amond is doubtful and Pat Flynn is suspended.

“We picked up a lot of injuries on Saturday, with both Aidan Price and Padraig Amond getting hurt during the pre-match warm-up,” said Hoops boss Michael O’Neill.

“For that to happen to one player is unusual, for it to happen to two players is bizarre. Then Darragh Maguire had to go off in the second half and Pat Flynn was sent off.

“Obviously we’re down several players, but we’ll just have to adjust accordingly with the aim of winning this tie and getting Shamrock Rovers through to the last 16.”

O’Neill was disheartened by their third draw with Drogheda this season, not to mention the second occasion at Tallaght that Rovers had been a goal to the good against Alan Mathews’ outfit.

“We played well in the first half, and we had enough chances to win the game. But what we’ve done when we’ve played Drogheda, typically, is give them a chink of light and we did it again.

“We gave them a poor goal from a free-kick – a free-kick which was taken nowhere near where it should’ve been taken. But that doesn’t condone the fact that we didn’t defend it well enough.

“We were disappointed not to win the game on Saturday, but given the problems we had on the night, we’ll go up to Drogheda in a positive state of mind.

“We’ve played them three times already this season, and every other game has ended in a draw. Given that the cup tie will be decided this time, we’re determined to emerge as winners.”