North-westerners meet in quarter-final

North-westerners meet in quarter-final

Sligo Rovers, the only First Division side to have made it through to the knock-out stages of the eircom League Cup, take a step up in class when they make the journey north to face on-form Derry City at the Brandywell on Tuesday evening (kick-off: 7.45pm).

Sligo qualified for the last eight from a weak group, which included no representative from the top flight of the eircom League. Victories over the representative Mayo League selection and First Division rivals Galway United was enough to see Sligo through to the last eight.

However, Don O’Riordan’s men – who currently lie in sixth place in the First Division – must raise their play a notch if they are to turn over Derry, who are in the middle of a good run of form at present.

A freak 5-1 defeat away to Shamrock Rovers has been their only blip in the last six weeks, and they have won their last four matches at the Brandywell, the most recent being a comfortable 2-0 victory over clear league leaders Shelbourne last Thursday night.

Sligo have gone four games unbeaten in the First Division, but three draws in that run has blunted any real progress up the league table.

They have tightened up considerably in defence, taking four clean sheets from their last seven league games. However, they may have to do without one or both of their first-choice strikers for tonight’s game, as both Stephen Mullen and Paul McTiernan – a close-season target for Derry – are rated doubtful.


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