Second-chance Rovers hope for win v Longford

Shamrock Rovers get an unexpected second bite of the cherry tonight when they lock horns once again with Longford Town in an FAI Cup third round replay at Richmond Park (7pm).

The Hoops looked down and out as cup holders Longford seemed to be easing into the last eight with time running out at Flancare Park on Saturday.

But Keith Doyle played their get-out-of-jail card with an 80th minute equaliser to send the tie to replay.

Longford manager Alan Matthews said he thought Town were much the better side at the weekend but had no one else to blame for not winning.

“We played well but we didn’t keep Rovers out,” Matthews said. “We got what we deserved.”

Longford take an unchanged squad to Dublin which means defender Stephen Paisley is still out injured.

Shamrock Rovers manager Liam Buckley welcomes back Shane Robinson from a one-match ban served at the weekend but is still without long-term injury victims Paul Caffrey, Liam Kelly, Gavin McDonnell and Derek Tracey, while Keith O’Halloran is a doubtful starter with a hamstring problem which ended his participation in the first game after just 55 minutes.