FAI Cup Preview: Cobh Ramblers -v- Dundalk

Cobh Ramblers:

Cobh Ramblers will be looking to cause a huge upset on Sunday afternoon when they face Dundalk in the second round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup.

Stuart Ashton’s side are undefeated in their last four home games in the First Division and are currently sixth in the table, two points from Longford in fifth.

Regardless of their good run of form in the league, Stuart Ashton is keeping things grounded at St. Coleman’s Park ahead of Sunday’s clash/  

“We know the quality that they (Dundalk) have shown over the last few years. They were FAI Cup finalists last year, they won the league last year, the whole country knows how good they are and they don’t suddenly become a bad team. We have to be at our very best and hope that we get a rub of the green to go out and cause an upset.  We’re going into the game with confidence, scoring goals and keeping clean sheets, which we are delighted with. Our performances in other games were leading up to these results and now hopefully we’re on the right track. But the work doesn’t stop here and any little mistakes against Dundalk will be costly.”

He also spoke about Ramblers’ history in the tournament and how that helps to motivate his young side.

“Everyone always loves a good cup run. Here in Cobh especially, the famous FAI Cup run of 1983 is very special and now it’s up to us to carry that mantle forward. Unfortunately we keep drawing Dundalk at this stage so that doesn’t make it easy but the players are looking forward to it. It’s a challenge for them, going up against some of the top professionals in the country, but our lads want to test themselves against the best.”

Dundalk:

After a tumultuous week both on and off the pitch for Dundalk, the Lilywhites open up their Extra.ie FAI Cup campaign on Sunday afternoon with a visit to St. Coleman’s Park to take on Cobh Ramblers.

Filippo Giovagnoli will take charge of the clubs for the first time on Sunday following his appointment from the Metropolitan Oval Academy in New York.

The former AC Milan summer camps boss will be looking to hit the ground running, as Dundalk have only won one game since the restart.

Their only win has come in the first round of the Extra.ie FAI Cup, when Dundalk defeated Waterford 1-0 at Oriel Park.

“It is going to be a good first match and we are looking forward to the journey,” Giovagnoli said, “It will be difficult and people say it will be tough for us but it’s going to be even tougher for them (Cobh).

“I want it to be tougher for them, we are strong and we have good players. We want to get the win to get through to the next round and we are ready for the game.”

Referee: Alan Patchell  

Match Stats:

This is the fourth cup meeting between the two teams in three seasons. In 2018 they met in both the FAI Cup and EA Sports Cup.

Dundalk hold the better of the two teams following their FAI Cup successes in 2018 and 2019. The Ramblers did beat Dundalk in the 2018 semi-finals of the EA Sports Cup. That day, Chris Hull scored the goal to send the Ramblers through to their first ever national cup final.

Cobh Ramblers have not won a game in the FAI Cup since 2016. That year they reached the quarter finals, where they were beaten 3-2 by St. Patricks Athletic.

Prediction:

Cobh 1-0 Dundalk

Cobh

Injured: Pierce Phillips (knee), Darragh Crowley (ankle) and Greg Henry (knee) 

Doubtful: Paul Hunt, Kevin Taylor.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk:

Injured: Cameron Dummigan

Doubtful: Andy Boyle

Suspended: None