O’Neill rallies under-strength Hoops

SHAMROCK ROVERS boss Michael O’Neill will be forced to put together a patched-up starting line-up for tomorrow’s eagerly-awaited FAI Ford Cup semi-final against Dublin neighbours St Patrick’s Athletic at Tallaght Stadium (3.15pm).

The Hoops will be without suspended defenders Danny Murphy and Craig Sives while Dan Murray, Sean O’Connor and Pat Sullivan are all ruled out by knee injuries.

The Hoops, bidding to win the cup for a record 25th time, will probably start with Pat Flynn partnering Aidan Price in the centre of defence with James Chambers in the right back role.

“All the matches between the sides have been close this season and I expect it to be no different tomorrow. St Pat’s will have a big support and there is a massive prize for both teams with the final being played at the Aviva Stadium on November 14,’’ said O’Neill.

With four defeats in their last five league games, the Hoops boss has told his team to forget for the moment about their remaining two league games – at home to Drogheda and away to Bray Wanderers.

“We must totally focus on this cup semi-final – and then start thinking about those remaining league games next week. There will be a huge crowd at Tallaght and the players will be really up for this tie,’’ added O’Neill.

St Pat’s will be hoping to end a 49-year gap – the last time they won the cup was way back in 1961 and manager Pete Mahon is fully aware of the desire of the Inchicore fans to end that Cup drought.

“This is a semi-final and current league form goes right out the window. But it is my belief that a defeat would be more detrimental to Rovers than ourselves,’’ said Mahon.

With Gareth O’Connor and Chris Bennion both cup-tied and defender Damien Lynch suspended, Mahon may also have to make changes and is boosted by the return of central defender Shane Guthrie after injury.