Ok---it is about time I checked in on my favorite little
league. Dundalk is still out in front, just like last year with Cork City FC
nipping at their heels. Dundalk FC was just tied last week end to make matters
interesting. So lets take a look at the FAI Cup 2015.
The Cup winner gets a Europa League spot and badly needed
finances if they qualify, not to mention the only excitement many supporters
feel, when they realize they are out of the league title race.
Round 3 is August 23 and lets take a look at a few matches.
Cork City FC vs
Saint Patrick Athletic @ Turners Cross
The biggest match will be played at Turners Cross which pits
2nd place Cork City against 3rd place and current FAI Cup
Champion; Saint Patrick’s Athletic. This game will get the most coverage
because of the popularity of these famous Premier League clubs. Cork will rely on
the trio of Billy Dennehy 9 Karl Sheppard 9 and Mark Sullivan 8 to score. City also has the best defense in the league conceding only 11 goals, lowest
in the league. The Saints are in great form right now, best in the league. They
are on a 5 game winning streak and the have scored 3 goals in each of their
last 4 games. The Saints have Chris Forrester
who has scored 11 goals, 3 short of League leader for the season. The Saints
also can boast of 2014 Player of the year Christy
Fagan, who has scored 5 goals this year. Ohhhh when the Saints –come marching ing in –oh
when the Saints come Marching in! The Saints should be feeling good since they
just knocked off their Dublin Rival Shamrock Rovers at home.
Bohemians FC vs
Bray Wanders @ Dalymount Park
This
pits the 5th place club against the 6th place club. Both
are out of the League race at this point so the Cubs are the tournaments that
matter. Bohemians FC are the surprise team for me. They have one of the smallest budgets but yet
find themselves in 5th place behind their arch Rival Shamrock
Rovers. Both Bray and the Boh’s have
good teams…they both know to the FAI Cup
is their realistic glory for 2015. Dalymount Park will host another big game to
add to the history.
Derry City FC vs
Drogheda United F.C @ Brandywell
This
game pits the 8th place teams against each other. Derry just found
their offence against Galway, scoring 4 goals. This game will be at the
Brandywell which is always a bonus. Droghs need something this season and
another Cup viscory would go a long way.
Dundalk FC v
Galway FC
This
will pit the current league Champions and current League leaders Dundalk FC
against Galway FC. Dundalk can boast goal
scoring leader Richie Towell who has 15 goals. Galway will counter with the
young (23 year old) Enda Curran who currently leads Tommy Dunn’s Tribesmen
with 10 goals himself. Galway as you know just beat Dundalk FC Aug 3rd
in the semi-finals of the League of Ireland Cup. This game went to a penalty
shoot out. Dundalk will be looking for payback – however the fans at Edmond
Deacy park will be ready to host another great event.
