Hogan Park (6pm Tuesday)

League Cup Quarter-Finals

LIMERICK FC

The First Division is guaranteed representation in the semi-finals as the top two in the second tier take on each other here for the first time this season. They were supposed to meet on April 21st but that match was cancelled due to bad weather. Now the two will meet twice within four days as Limerick will again host Rovers this Friday evening. For now, however, it’s the League Cup and a chance to make it into next seasons Setanta Cup. The Shannonsiders have done really well in Cup competitions this year as they are also in the next round of the FAI Cup having knocked out holders Drogheda United in the opening round of that competition. They currently head the First Division but have lost their last two league matches, picking up just three points out of a possible nine since returning from the World Cup break. That will be a big worry for manager Noel O’Connor after his side had only lost twice this year before those defeats to Cobh Ramblers and Finn Harps. In their only win, at home to Kilkenny, they were very fortunate to take maximum points as the Treaty men were awarded a hotly disputed penalty with just thirteen minutes remaining.

They then travelled to St.Colman’s Park to take on Cobh and were clearly second best for most of the match. On 34 minutes, Ramblers took the lead and really it should have been more before Limerick were again given a penalty with thirteen minutes to go. John Lester again converted and it appeared Lims had rescued a point but on 92 minutes, Mikey O’Shea hit a sweet strike from the edge of the box to send the home crowd into raptures. On Saturday, Limerick went to Ballybofey where they took an early lead through Pat Purcell before Eloka Asokuh levelled the game just before half-time. On 54 minutes, Harps took the lead thanks to a strike from manager Anthony Gorman but once again the referee pointed to the spot for Limerick late in the game and yet again John Lester dispatched with ease. But, like in Cobh, the home side showed great heart to come back and won the game as Conor Gethins marked his return from a three-month injury with a goal nine minutes from time. It now seems Limerick have hit a bad patch but a win over Rovers might just be the tonic they need to restore their early season form. They have only lost once in Hogan Park this year, that coming against Dundalk and they should be able to at least take this tie to extra-time.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

In the last round, Rovers made the short journey to Inchicore and put in a very good performance to win 2-0 and book their place here. Thanks to Limerick’s dip in form, Rovers have closed to within one point of top spot in the league with their defence being the main reason for their rise to the summit. They’ve played thirteen league games, scoring seventeen times but only conceding three with Dundalk, Cobh and Galway the only sides managing to breach the Hoop’s defence. But, they sometimes fail to kill off teams despite dominating games with fives draws in the league so far. They started extremely strong with three wins and a draw in their opening four games but since that have only won four times in their last nine games with the Tallaght club slightly stuttering. Since the return after the mid-season break, they have accumulated seven points, scoring six goals and conceding none so clearly Scully has his team is good order. Two weeks ago, they welcomed Kildare County to Tolka Park and took a 14th minute lead through a Barry Prenderville header following some poor County defending. Rovers went on to seal a 2-0 victory with a penalty from Tadgh Purcell on the hour mark.

Seven days ago, the Hoops made their way to Buckley Park to take on Kilkenny City but this time they didn’t get it all their own way as Kilkenny were perhaps the better side. On 59 minutes, City were awarded a spot-kick but Brian King was unable to rattle the net and the game went on to finish deadlocked. On Friday evening, Rovers were hoping to get back to winning ways as they entertained Monaghan United in what was expected to be another hammering for the Mick Cooke’s men and so it proved as Scully’s men opened up a three goal advantage after only 36 minutes. They quietened down after that but managed to find a fourth with eight minutes left. That was the perfect preperation for the next few days as they face two games against Limerick that could make or break their season. It will be interesting to see how the two teams measure up against each other but in my current rankings, I’d rate Rovers just above Limerick. They are pretty solid in all their matches but with the game in Hogan Park, the Hoops may have to settle for the lottery that is the penalty shoot-out.

THIS SEASONS FORM & TEAM NEWS

Previous Meeting This Season:
None

Limerick’s Home Form This Season:
2-1 Kilkenny City
2-3 Dundalk
2-1 Finn Harps
1-0 Kildare County
1-0 Cobh Ramblers
1-0 Monaghan United

Shamrock Rovers Away Form This Season:
0-0 Kilkenny City
0-1 Galway United
2-0 Dundalk
0-0 Finn Harps
0-0 Monaghan United
3-0 Kildare County
2-0 Athlone Town

Limerick: Ex-Reading midfielder, Conor Sinnott, who previously played here with Bray Wanderers, is set for his Limerick debut having been signed on a three-month contract.

Shamrock Rovers: The Hoops have signed Vinny Perth from St.Patricks Athletic and Andy Doolin from non-league Liffey Wanderers. Bohemians midfielder Mark O’Brien and St.Pats striker Anto Flood have come in on-loan.

VERDICT

Both sides appear to be closely matched but we won’t know how close until these 90 minutes are complete. Rovers don’t concede many but Limerick do so the Hoops should find the net on the road for only the fourth match this season. Limerick have lost their way at home as far as defending goes as after three straight 1-0 wins at the beginning of the campaign, they have now conceded in their last three matches at Hogan Park, including three against Dundalk. It makes for a fascinating encounter and it has a draw written all over it.

If Limerick return to early season form and Rovers continue as they have done, then it would appear to be a nailed on 0-0 draw. Limerick have been leaking goals for fun recently and while Rovers are unlikely to be able to take full advantage, they may go in front here and make it difficult for Noel O‘Connor’s men to come back. Limerick have been excellent in Cup competition this year, however, and should send the game into extra-time.

The Pick :

Limerick 1-1 Rovers

PERCENTAGE ESTIMATE :

30% Limerick - 40% Draw - 30% Rovers

FIXED ODDS BETTING :

Draw @ 3.1 (Betfair)

VALUE BET

1-1 Draw @ 9/2 (PaddyPower)