Longford 'can't think beyond' Rovers clash: Matthews

FAI Cup holders Longford Town will have their grip on the old trophy tested to the limit tonight when they take on premier division rivals Shamrock Rovers in a third round tie at Flancare Park (7.30pm).

It is the midlanders’ first meeting with a top-flight side in the competition this season having drawn and then beaten Cork intermediate side Leeds, in the last round.

Longford boss Alan Matthews will be grateful for a home draw but added a successful FAI Cup defence was not in his thoughts.

“The most important game is the next one,” Matthews said. “If we start thinking beyond it, we’ll be beaten.”

Former Manchester City defender Stephen Paisley is again likely to miss out through injury which means Graham Gartland, who scored the winner in the league against fellow strugglers St Patrick’s Athletic last week, is set to continue in central defence.

Darragh Sheridan is suspended.

Shamrock Rovers manager Liam Buckley is still without frontline players and injury victims Paul Caffrey, Liam Kelly, Gavin McDonnell and Derek Tracey, and will have to make at least two further changes with Shane Robinson suspended and Fiachra McArdle adding to the casualty list.