Setanta Cup semi finals 10/4 - 11/4

[Ringabell]

Cork City FC - Shelbourne FC 10/04

Home (43%):

2.20 (2.09)

Draw (28%):

3.35 (3.16)

Away (29%):

3.35 (3.16)

Linfield Belfast FC - Drogheda United 11/04

Home (48%):

1.90 (1.82)

Draw (27%):

3.40 (3.26)

Away (25%):

4.00 (3.82)

Cork City FC - Shelbourne FC

Cork City and Shelbourne have become huge rivals in recent years. After battling over the title for the last couple of seasons, there hasn't been a whole lot separating the sides. They meet for the first time in 2006 on Monday night with a place in the Setanta Sports Cup final at stake.

Cork City vs Shelbourne
(Turner's Cross - 8:00 pm - Setanta Sports Cup - Semi final - Live on Setanta Sports)
Referee: David Malcolm
Assistants: Paul Munn and Eamonn Shanks
Fourth Official: Alan Kelly

(match is to a finish on the night with extra-time and penalties if required)
Both teams are unbeaten in the Premier division of the eircom League although Shels did lose one game in a stuttering group campaign in the SSC while Cork advanced with five wins from six games.

The clubs met five times last season with Cork winning three of those, one game was drawn and Shelbourne won one with a highly controversial Jamie Harris goal at Tolka Park in May.

Both sides are hit by suspensions going into the game.Winger/forward Roy O'Donovan again misses out with his extended ban for City. Goalkeeper Michael Devine misses out with a knee injury picked up against Longford on Friday night. Mark McNulty will take over between the posts.Centre back Alan Bennett is in line for a return to replace Cillian Lordan.Bennett has been injured recently but just wasn't risked in the game against Longford on Friday.Midtfielder/forward George O'Callaghan returned for that game too and has made it known recently that he isn't a fan of Shelbourne.



ShelbourneFC.ie reports that defender Colin Hawkins has been handed an extended suspension after his sending off against Linfield for stamping. Shels won for the first time in the league this season on Friday night but it was less than impressive against struggling Waterford.Defender Owen Heary returns from suspension after missing that game, as does Liverpool born defender Dave Rogers.Former cameroon international Joseph Ndo is suffering from a knock and rated as doubtful.

Former Cork duo Greg O'Halloran and Liam Kearney are unlikely to face their former club.Def/midt O'Halloran is out injured while Kearney has struggled to find a place in the Shels' starting eleven.

Previous meeting(s) : Shelbourne 0-0 Cork City (11/11/2005)
Cork City 1-0 Shelbourne (15/08/2005)
Shelbourne 0-2 Cork City (30/05/2005)
Shelbourne 1-0 Cork City (02/05/2005)
Cork City 1-0 Shelbourne (28/03/2005)

IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Cork to go through

[davidmphill]

Nice post ringabell. Good luck.

[Ringabell]

Linfield and Drogheda United meet at Windsor Park on Tuesday night with a place in the Setanta Sports Cup final against Cork City on Saturday, 22nd April at stake. Drogheda are to rely on an inexperienced against the Irish League champions.

Linfield vs Drogheda United
(Windsor Park - 8:00 pm - Setanta Sports Cup - Semi final - Live on Setanta Sports)
Referee: Ian Stokes
Assistants: Martin Moloney and Ciaran Delaney
Fourth Official: Trevor Moutray

(match is to a finish on the night with extra-time and penalties if required)

Perhaps a sign of preparing for the SSC game combined with the league having already been wrapped up, Linfield lost an Irish League game for the first time this season at the weekend.

Midtfielders Oran Kearney and Tim Mouncey are doubts for the Blues going into the game while central defenders Noel Bailie, is ruled out with a hamstring problem. While much of the talk going into the game has been about Drogheda's goalkeeping problems, Linfield have no such worries. Their keeper Alan Mannus won the player of the month award up north for March. Another boost for Linfield was the decision by Northern Ireland to release Peter Thompson for SSC action instead of forcing him to play in a competitive under-21 international.

Drogheda goalkeeper Dan Connor is of course suspended for the game but reserve keeper Charlie Treacy is set to step in. If he has any injury problems, the Drogs will be in trouble and they have no cover.
Former Southampton Defender Stephen Gray has just about returned from injury but he may not be ready in time to start on Tuesday.Former Arsenal and Aston Villa Midtfielder Keith Fahey is also ruled out but otherwise Drogheda should be near full strength.

IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

[Tulenos]

Also, if anyone missed it, Cork are through to the final after a 2-0 win.

BTW, Ringabell, the above are surely copy-and-paste efforts, do they agree with your own opinion?

[davidmphill]

Nice pick on Cork Ringabell, 2-0 in the end.
Good luck with Linfield

[Ringabell]

Originally Posted by davidmphill

Nice pick on Cork Ringabell, 2-0 in the end.
Good luck with Linfield

It was NOT me that wrote these prews.it is irishFootballOnline.com
Very easy to see my prew because my writing is very average/poor

[Tulenos]

You can still add a sentence or two of your opinion, mate. Looking forward to it

[Coltron]

I like the Drogs will win tonight. It will be close match and although the Drogs (here after referred to in the possessive e.g. my team) haven't been playing as good as they can they are winning without conceeding. I believe that Lingfield will suffer from losing their home record. A record that lasted for 49 games. Despite our regular goalie being missing and being replaced by a guy who is young, has very little experience and nobody knows what he is like I still think we will play better tonight and win. I trust our managers judgement and while our keeper could be better I think he will be resonable enough.

As for the price, it's big. I consider this a max bet, I know it's not the safest but I feel there is excellent value in this price and so will punt accordinly.

Super Drogs!

[si1965]

Was away in Cambridge on business yesterday so did not get on Cork so will post my thoughts on tonight’s match.
Drogs have been the surprise package in the Cup this season, following on from a strong finish in last year’s Eircom League. They are very strong team without having any truly outstanding individuals (no offence Coltron).
Linfield on the other hand, as defending Champions, were expected to be at this stage of the Cup and their performance so far has maintained this belief – they had an unbeaten record in the ‘group of Death’ with only Derry gaining a point at Windsor Park. In Thompson and Ferguson (both of whom will play tonight) they have a strike force with more than 80!!! goals between then this season.
I know there is value in backing Drogs but I think that the loss of the home record (due in part to the resting of Midfielders Tim Mouncey and Oran Kearney) will spur Linfield on.
I like the look of Bet365 Linfield –0.5 at 1.98.

[dano]

I think Drogheda will make it an all Eircom final with a hard fought 1-0 victory at Linfield tonight. I know Linfield are unbeaten for an eternity at Windsor but there is a massive step up in class form the N Ireland prem to the Eircom.
Drogheda have been in good form this season and finished off last really well. With a strong defence I see them sneaking one and holding on at Windsor Pk. Hills go 16/5 Drogs and this is massive value. I dont see a Linfield win at all so if you want to split stakes you can get 3.75 the draw on betfair which is massive also.

[si1965]

Originally Posted by dano

I know Linfield are unbeaten for an eternity at Windsor but there is a massive step up in class form the N Ireland prem to the Eircom.

Sorry, but I have to disagree here - Linfield have more than proven that they are the equals and better of the top sides in the Eircom League. They suffered a single defeat (to Longford) in last year's Setanta Cup, defeating Shelbourne in the final.
If there is a difference between teams, those that are full-time professional have a massive advantage over the part-time professional sides.

[Chief100]

Definately agree with si on this one.

Linfield all the way, they'll want the clean sweep of trophies this year and the final of the Setanta Cup is at Windsor.

Come on the Blues!

[Macfall]

Fancy Linfield myself tonight, I actually backed them to win from the start at 9/2 and covered it before last nights Cork match with Cork to win the cup at 2/1.

Linfield will be hurt by losing their unbeaten record on Saturday, and this will make them more dangerous tonight. They are playing the best football seen in the Irish premier League for years (since Portadown in the early 90's) and home advantage will make a difference.

See below for preview from BBC N. Ireland -

Linfield front man Avun Jephcott will miss Tuesday's Setanta Cup semi-final against Drogheda United because of a knee injury.

Jephcott picked up the knock in the league match against Lisburn Distillery last Saturday.
Oran Kearney and fellow midfielder Tim Mouncey face fitness tests before the match at Windsor Park (2000 BST).
Linfield's captain Noel Bailie had aleady been ruled out of the game because of a hamstring injury.
Drogheda have been hit with a keeper crisis ahead of the game.
First-choice stopper Dan O'Connor is banned while number two Charlie Treacy is ruled out through injury. Competition organisers turned down a request from the Drogs to sign a new keeper in time for the match

Good luck all.

[Finn McCool]

Got to agree Linfield supporters will be out in force tonight giving their team big support.I follow Irish league i don't like Linfield or any of the teams from the city (Belfast) assholes the lot of them both traditions orange or green.

[davidmphill]

Jesus, Avun Jephcott. Theres a name I thought i'd never hear of again!
A guy we had for a bit but never made the grade at League 2 level.

[davidmphill]

Gone with the flow tonight and had a nibble on Linfield, good luck to all.

[dano]

I thank you.
Hope you all werent on Linfield.
1-0 to the mighty Drogs;

[Chief100]

Linfield had a disallowed goal on 5 minutes that should've stood, ridiculous refereeing. Saying that, after the disallowed goal they were nothing special and the result full time probably should've been 1-1.

Ah well, still gonna win the clean sweep in Northern Ireland

[si1965]

Fair play Dano you called it spot on.
To be honest Drogs outplayed Linfield for pretty much the entire match so fully deserve the victory.
I think Cork will be too strong for you in the final however.