Saints begin cup defence with Dublin derby against Rovers

It’s the cup holders versus the all-time cup record-holders at Richmond Park tonight when St Patrick’s Athletic host Shamrock Rovers in the stand-out tie of a hectic FAI Cup second round weekend.

“The cup is very different for us this year as we go into the game as champions,” said Pat’s boss Liam Buckley, who saw his side finally lay the club’s long-running cup hoodoo last year.

“We all know what it’s like now to play in the Aviva Stadium in November and experience that winning feeling, so the players will be motivated to get the win Friday and take it from there.”