Cook wary of Monaghan backlash but Sligo the cup fancies

PREMIER DIVISION status, home advantage and the fact that they put three past the same opposition in the FAI Ford Cup last week, all make Sligo Rovers the hot favourites to lift the EA Sports Cup when they play Monaghan United at The Showgrounds this afternoon (kick-off 5.30pm, live on Setanta Sports).

However, despite that cup exit, promotion-chasing Monaghan are having a season to remember and Sligo won’t be taking the challenge lightly.

Says manager Paul Cook: “There all different sorts of criteria for finals. It is on the day. I think Monaghan will respect the fact that we beat them last Saturday and beat them quite convincingly. But by the same yardstick, it is a completely different game now.”