Lilywhites hoping to keep treble bid on track
FAI CUP
DUNDALK will be aiming to keep their dreams of a cup treble on track when they host Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup semi-finals at Oriel Park on Sunday (kick-off 4.45pm, live on RTÉ Two).
With the EA Sports Cup already in the bag and a Leinster Senior Cup final against Shelbourne to come, Stephen Kenny’s side will be hoping to make it three FAI Cup finals in as many years by beating Stephen Bradley’s side at the weekend.
Last night’s (Monday) league game with Cork City in Turner’s Cross meant that full preparations for the game weren’t known at the time of going to press but Niclas Vemmelund should come back into contention following suspension although Steven Kinsella and John Mountney remain injury doubts.
The last time Rovers came to Dundalk for an FAI Cup semi-final they famously lost 4-0 back in 2002 and Lilywhites fans will be hoping the omens are the same if history could repeat itself.
Dundalk assistant boss Vinny Perth (right) said after the win over Drogheda Utd on Friday that the semi-final was the second part of a ‘big week’ for the club but was adamant the players were ready for it.
‘It’s a big week for the club,’ he said. ‘We’ve had a lot of big weeks over the last couple of years so we’re ready and experienced enough to deal with it and we’re looking forward to it.
‘Tonight it was great to get three goals at home and keep a clean sheet again. It gives us something to build on over the next week.’
Perth admitted Dundalk weren’t at their best against Drogheda but praised the players for getting the job done.
‘We were a little bit sloppy at the start and relied on Gary (Rogers) to make some good saves. I think he has been outstanding this year and particularly in the second half of the season he has been as good as anyone in the league.
‘In the end I think we ran out worthy winners and created a lot of chances towards the end of the game. Drogheda had nothing to lose and are going to give everything a go between now and the end of the season. They were quite positive. I still haven’t worked out whether it was bad play from us or good play from them in the first 20 minutes but ultimately we got a big goal before half-time and that changed the view of the manager at halftime and makes it a bit easier to rile up the players.’
We’ve had a lot of big weeks over the last couple of years so we’re ready and experienced enough to deal with it