Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk (7.05pm) Live on RTÉ Two & RTÉ.ie
SSE Airtricity Premier League leaders Dundalk go into the FAI Ford Cup fixture against Shamrock Rovers on the back of a resounding 5-0 victory over Derry City at Oriel Park on Monday evening.
This will be the fifth meeting of the sides this season, with two more matches between the clubs yet to be played.
Dundalk emerged victorious over their two-legged Setanta Cup semi-final, while their league encounters resulted in a draw and a win for the Lilywhites.
Dundalk qualified for the quarter-finals of this competition after dispatching Cup holders Sligo Rovers in a 3-0 win at Oriel Park back in June and then a 2-1 success over Galway last month.
The visitors will be without captain Stephen O’Donnell as he continues his recovery from a knee injury, while Simon Kelly is ruled out with a calf strain.
Speaking to the club’s official website, first-team coach Vinny Perth said: “Shamrock Rovers is obviously a big game.
"They’re a very good side and since Pat Fenlon came in they have improved.
“We are looking forward to the game though. We have won there already this season twice, but that means nothing on Friday.
“Form tends to go out the window [in cup competitions] but we’re confident and looking forward to the game.”
David O’Connor is the Hoops only injury doubt, with Ryan Brennan available once again.
Sean O'Connor is suspended after receiving a red card in the last round against Longford Town.
Drogheda United v Derry City (7.45pm)
Drogheda United will be hoping to heap more misery on Derry City when they meet in the quarter-finals of the FAI Ford Cup.
Gavin Brennan is the only absentee for Drogheda United as he misses the third game of his four-match ban.
Alan McNally will be available for duty despite sustaining a foot injury last week in the 1-1 draw against Athlone Town.
Dundalk clobbered the Candystripes 5-0 on Monday evening in their league match, but Derry’s challenge should be infinitely more potent on the banks of the Boyne.
Derry fielded a severely-weakened side for their encounter against Dundalk and are likely to name a more formidable side for what represents their last opportunity of winning a trophy this season.
Doubts surround the participation of Rory Patterson, Philip Lowry and Dean Jarvis, while defender Shaun Kelly is cup-tied.
Drogs boss Damien Richardson made the short journey north to Oriel Park on Monday, but knows his side face a very different prospect on Friday night, saying on Thursday: “I watched Derry against Dundalk on Monday but I don’t think that the result will have any impact on tomorrow night, given the side that Derry put out.
“I believe only Barry Molloy and Barry McNamee would be likely to start against us, so I expect them to have a totally different attitude.
“The fact that Peter Hutton made so many changes for the league game emphasis how important tonight’s game is.”
St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians (7.45pm)
St Patrick’s Athletic host Bohemians in Richmond Park in Friday’s much-anticipated FAI Ford Cup quarter-final Dublin derby.
Liam Buckley’s side face the Gypsies in what is the Saints’ ninth consecutive FAI Cup quarter-final appearance.
The Saints report no new injuries following their 2-1 Leinster Senior Cup final win over Longford Town on Tuesday.
However they will be without the cup-tied Aaron Greene.
For Saints’ winger Conan Byrne, a winner of the competition with Buckley and Sporting Fingal in 2009, Friday’s Dublin derby is one he is looking forward to.
“Yeah we’re all looking forward to the game,” he told the club’s official website.
“The lads have really stepped it up in the last few weeks and we’ve
really worked hard to get some wins in the last few weeks, with 1-0 wins against Shels, Derry, and Dundalk and then the win during the week so.
“Bohs will give us a good game on Friday as they’re playing well
themselves at the moment, Dinny Corcoran is having a good season for them, and they’ve a good mixture of youth and experience in their team.”
Bohemians come into Friday’s game following a 3-2 defeat against Sligo Rovers on Monday.
Dave Mulcahy and Jason Byrne were rested for that game, while Eoin Wearen served an automatic suspension for his red card the previous Friday and should return to the fray.
Only long-term absentees Anto Murphy (ankle) and Dan Byrne (cruciate) are ruled out.
Bohemians face their third away tie in the FAI Ford Cup knowing that this time, they will have strong support from their fans.
“Every time we play in Inchicore our support is great,” manager Owen Heary said.
“When the supporters are together it creates a great atmosphere for the lads.
“It’s one of the more enjoyable places to play because the crowd is on top of you.
“It will be a difficult game. They are in-form themselves, not conceding goals. It’s a big ask for the lads but it’s one that they are all geared towards. When you come to the quarter-final stages, it’s all up for grabs.”
