Shamrock Rovers travel to Stradbrook on Monday evening to take on Eddie Gormley’s Cabinteely in the second round of the EA Sports Cup.
Cabinteely currently sit fifth in the First Division with two league wins under their belt, after beating Wexford Youths on the opening day of the season and Waterford United on match day four.
Cabinteely progressed to the second round of the EA Sports Cup with a stoppage time win over fellow First Division side – UCD. Shane O’Neill was the goalscorer in that game after Cabo keeper Evan Whelan brilliantly saved a UCD penalty just minutes beforehand.
Eddie Gormley has a fully-fit squad to choose from, including three former Hoops, defender Victor Ekanem and two players who were part of Rovers’ B side in the First Division last season, Kevin Knight and goalkeeper Shane Fagan.
All six of Cabinteely’s competitive games, including their 1-0 defeat to Cobh Ramblers on Saturday, have been low scoring. Their 2-0 defeat away to Finn Harps is the highest scoring game they have been involved in to date and while they have surprised many with their start to life in the SSE Airtricity League, the task of facing Shamrock Rovers does, on paper, look to be too big of a task.
Shamrock Rovers, who received a bye in the first round, were runners up in this competition last season, losing 3-2 to Dundalk in the final in Oriel Park.
Pat Fenlon’s side are 3rd in the league after an unbeaten start to the season, which has included victory over St. Pat’s on the opening day of the season and scoreless draws against Cork City and rivals Bohemians.
Rovers will be hoping to progress, having reached the final of the EA Sports Cup in each of the last three seasons, winning the trophy in 2013 against Drogheda United, who had beat the Hoops in the 2012 final.
Fenlon may choose to make a number of changes from the side that beat Galway 3-0 on Friday but it looks like he will have to do without the services of Luke Byrne (hamstring) for the trip to Stradbrook.
Kick-off in south Dublin is at 7pm.
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Team News
Injuries
Cabinteely: None.
Shamrock Rovers: Luke Byrne (Hamstring).
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Match Officials
Referee: Adriano Reale
Assistants: Robert Clarke & Simon Rogers
Fourth Official: Derek Tomney
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Betting
Cabinteely 14/1, Draw 19/4, Shamrock Rovers 2/11.
Gerard Grimes, Pundit Arena.
Read More About: 2015 League of Ireland, Cabinteely FC, ea sports cup, eddie gormley, irish football, loi first division, LOI Premier Division, pat fenlon, Shamrock Rovers
