General
- Thursday September 13th, 2012 @ 16:23
Saints In Cup Action
The Saints continue their quest to claim the 2012 FAI Cup as they host Drogheda United in the Quarter-Finals of the competition on Friday.
The clash of the Premier Division's second and third placed sides is set to draw a huge crowd in Richmond Park and supporters are urged to buy tickets as early as possible in advance of kick-off as the Saints aim to lift the FAI Cup for the first time since 1961.
Saints' manager Liam Buckley, a member of the Pats squad for the 1996 FAI Cup final, told stpatsfc.com that spectators and fans alike would be treated to “an excellent game” against a tough side, with Drogheda holding the edge over the Saints this season having claimed a 0-0 draw in United Park and a 2-0 win in Richmond Park in July.
"We've had some good wins lately and Drogheda have been going well for a long time now. We know we'll get nothing easy against them, but it's a game we're all relishing. The Cup is a special competition so we'll be going all out to win and get into the semi-finals."
Buckley confirmed that Dean Kelly and Mark Rossiter remain on the sidelines and will not feature against the Boynesiders.
The Saints' manager had positive news on the progress of Jake Kelly who continues to recover from a knock suffered in the 3-2 win against Bohemians last week, while Saints' midfielders John Russell and Brazilian Hernany Macedo face late fitness tests ahead of Friday's Cup clash.
For Galweigan Russell, a two time winner of the FAI Cup with Sligo Rovers in 2010 and 2011, Friday's game represents a massive chance to get back to the Aviva Stadium and play in the biggest game in domestic soccer, though he admitted to stpatsfc.com that he expected nothing other than a stern test from Mick Cooke's side.
“They're a good side, tough to breakdown and have taken four points from us in the league.
The positive thing for us though is we're at home and playing in front of our own fans.
The cup represents a chance for us to win some silverware, and having won the FAI Cup twice before, I know what a great honour and feeling it is to go out and play in the Aviva, our national stadium.”
“It would be something that the players would love, but more importantly something that our fans would love and deserve for the great support we've had all year.”
