Athlone square up to Longford

Athlone Town take on current FAI Cup holders and last season's beaten League Cup finalists, Longford Town, tonight in Saint Mel's Park, Athlone in a crucial eircom League Cup tie.

Both sides can still reach the knock-out stages, though Athlone would need to win by seven clear goals to progress. However, any win for Athlone would see Longford remain in second place, and Kildare County would go into the quarter-finals.

As well as being a local derby, there is sure to be an added edge to the game after Aaron Callaghan walked out of Longford during the close season to take over at the helm of Athlone.

Among the players he brought with him was rising young star, striker Adrian Murphy. Murphy has been a sensation since his arrival, and has already become a crowd favourite with six goals from nine games.

Callaghan said ahead of the game, "I don’t think I will have too much problems motivating the players for this local derby. The attitude and commitment of the players against Finn Harps was outstanding, although the result went against us it was a great improvement on our previous away trips."

Kickoff is at 7.45pm, and fans are advised to come early for this eagerly awaited clash.