General
- Monday May 5th, 2014 @ 18:01
EA Sports XI News: Bohs/Pats
Liam Buckley's side are back in action this Tuesday as they make the short trip across the Liffey to Phibsboro to face Bohemians in the Saints' opening game of the 2014 EA Sports Cup (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Saints have only won the competition on two occasions, the last time coming in 2003 when the Inchicore side overcame Longford Town 1-0 in the final thanks to a goal from David Freeman. The only current survivors from that game still involved with the Saints are midfielder Keith Fahey and goalkeeper Brendan Clarke, who both could feature on Tuesday night
Ahead of Tuesday's clash against the Gypsies, Saints' boss Liam Buckley confirmed that both Derek Foran and Ken Oman are ruled out of the game through injury – otherwise the Saints have a full squad to select from.
“I was happy with parts of our game in Sligo last weekend so coming away with a point from the Showgrounds was a good result,” Buckley told stpatsfc.com in relation to the Saints 2-2 draw against the Bit O'Red last Saturday.
“We've now got Bohs on Tuesday and we know having played them recently that they will make things difficult for us as Owen Heary will set them up well and have them organised. We'll go to Dalymount though with no fear and look to get through to the EA Sports Cup quarter-finals.”
For defender Sean Hoare, the competition presents a chance to add to his growing haul of silverware having been part of the Saints' 2013 SSE Airtricity League winning squad and having recently captained his university, NUI Maynooth, to their first ever Collingwood Cup success.
The defender however was keen to stress that the Saints are expecting a competitive Dublin derby on Tuesday, with the 20 year old pointing to Bohemians' attacking options as something both he and the rest of the Pat's squad have to watch out for.
“Bohs have great attacking options, none more so than Jason Byrne up front. His record is great and his movement off the ball is fantastic, so we know we'll have to be concentrated all the time to keep people like him quiet,” Hoare told stpatsfc.com.
“This could be my first game in Dalymount Park with the club's senior team so it's one I'm personally looking forward to as it's a great venue to play football in. We also know that in a competition like this if we can get through this first round for ourselves, we're not that far away from reaching the final. So hopefully we can get the win tomorrow night and get one step closer to that final.”
