Orchard sensing cup upset against jittery Students

THE hiding-to-nothing prospect of facing non-league opposition on the back of four straight defeats is scarcely ideal for UCD in tonight’s FA Ford Cup clash.

In contrast, their opponents Cherry Orchard arrive at the UCD Bowl having just celebrated winning the Leinster Senior League Sunday Senior 1 title with absolutely nothing to lose. They also have Tony “Toccy” O’Connor for inspiration.

O’Connor, who scored the winning goal for Bohemians in the 2001 final as they clinched the double, is Cherry Orchard manager Paul Doyle’s assistant and an invaluable asset ahead of this potential giant killing.

“He’s an outstanding man to have in your corner when playing a League of Ireland side,” said Doyle. “He’s been a brilliant help this season. His knowledge of the game, and the things that he sees, is second to none. He sees them before others do.”

Winning promotion back to the top flight of the LSL was Cherry Orchard’s goal. They also reached the final of the Intermediate Cup, losing to Cork side Avondale United.

“This is a great game to finish off our season with,” added Doyle.“Martin Russell has watched us three times and on each occasion we played badly. So hopefully we can produce a surprise tonight.

“You probably won’t get a better time to play them as they come back off a few defeats. We won the league last Sunday and then beat Broadford 6-0 on Tuesday night, so our lads are really looking forward to this game.

“We’ve got a chance of beating them, a slim chance.”

Holders Sligo Rovers host Limerick side Pike Rovers in a unique clash of the Senior and Junior FAI Cup winners.

“It’s our cup final,” said Pike manager Declan Considine who is without target man Pat Maloney, who broke his hand in the Junior Cup final.

“There’s definitely no pressure on us, Sligo are the holders while we won the junior final. I haven’t heard of that happening before.

“The game itself is a big day for the club, we’ll have 300 to 400 travelling and it will be fantastic.”

Cup kings Shamrock Rovers, last year’s beaten finalists, take on First Division Athlone Town at Tallaght Stadium while Junior side New Ross Celtic, of the Wexford Premier League, make their debut in the first round proper with a trip to face managerless Waterford United at the RSC.

Tonight’s fixtures (7.45pm unless stated) Bohemians v Douglas Hall; Cherry Orchard v UCD (UCD Bowl); Crumlin United v St. Patrick’s Athletic (Richmond Park); Drogheda United v Mervue United; Longford Town v Finn Harps (8pm); Midleton v Cork City; Monaghan United v Everton (8pm); Salthill Devon v Sheriff YC; Shamrock Rovers v Athlone Town (8pm); Sligo Rovers v Pike Rovers; Waterford United v New Ross Celtic; Wexford Youths v Derry City (8pm).