Shamrock Rovers look to achieve historic double

Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers go head-to-head in the final of this season’s FAI Ford Cup at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday afternoon (kick-off 3.30pm).

The two sides last met in the Blue Riband event in 1978 when Shamrock Rovers recorded a 1-0 victory.

And both sides will be confident of victory, as the match will be played in front of a bumper crowd at the revamped Lansdowne Road venue.

League champions Rovers will be the favourites going into the final fixture of the domestic season, however, Sligo have already beaten the Dublin side in cup competition this season, knocking the Hoops out of the EA Sports Cup at the semi-final stage.

Hoops boss Michael O’Neill must plan without Dan Murray, Pat Sullivan and Sean O'Connor as they are all out of the game with knee injuries.

Robert Bayly is also ruled out through suspension, while Aidan Price, who was a doubt earlier is the week, has got the all clear for the game.

Gary Twigg is also a doubt as he is struggling with a hamstring injury, however, it would be a big shock if the talismanic, Scottish striker doesn’t feature at some stage.

Sligo will be without suspended duo Matthew Blinkhorn and Richie Ryan for the Aviva clash.

Blinkhorn and Ryan serve one-game-bans for accumulated yellow cards in the Airtricity Premier Divison.

Richard Brush will miss his third straight cup final because of a wrist injury, while Mauro Almeida is also ruled out through injury.