Finn Harps v Sligo Rovers – eircom League of Ireland Cup 2nd Round – Finn Park, Monday 7th May – kick-off 7.00pm

Just 72 later after the Kilkenny game, Paul Hegarty's side will take on Premier Division Sligo Rovers in the eircom League of Ireland Cup 2nd Round.  Harps progressed to this round having disposed of Fanad United 2-0 in the 1st Round while Sligo received a bye.

It is the fourth time in as many seasons that these two clubs have met in the League Cup.  In each of the previous three seasons the games took place at the Showgrounds.  In 2004, Harps hammered their North-West neighbours 5-1 in the quarter-finals with Kevin McHugh scoring a hat-trick for Felix Healy's side and Chris Breen scoring his first ever goal for the club.  The following season, Premier Division Harps lost by the only goal of the game to then First Division Sligo.  Then last season the roles were reversed and Harps progressed to the quarter-finals with a penalty shoot-out victory against Sligo after the game finished in a 1-1 draw.

Paul Hegarty knows that the task facing him on Monday is a difficult one but says he won't know until after Friday's game what sort of side he will put out.  "It's too early to say what we'll do against Sligo because we have Kilkenny City to play in the League on Friday night and hopefully we'll have picked up three points from Friday night's game.  The League Cup game will give us an opportunity to test ourselves against Premier Division opposition, although we don't know at this stage what sort of side we'll be fielding.  We'll just have to see how injuries and suspensions are with us, but playing at home against Sligo Rovers we have to try and win the match and give our supporters something to cheer about."

Hegarty also says that the League Cup game will be a welcome distraction from the challenges of the league although he wants to progress to the quarter-finals.  "The Cup competitions are good side-shows to the league and we want to progress from the game, especially since we're playing at home against them and we might try out a few new things.

For their part, Sligo have just appointed a new Manager – their third in just six months.  Sean Connor, who led the club to the First Division title in 2005, left towards the end of last season to take over at Bohemians.  Rob McDonald was appointed and took charge for the final league game of last season but resigned just days before the start of the new season.  With Leo Tierney looking after the reigns for the past two months, Sligo finally confirmed yet another new Manager just last weekend when former Wolverhampton Wanderers player Paul Cook took charge.  Sligo started the season well – picking up nine points from their opening four games before a run of three straight defeats was halted last weekend with a 1-1 draw at home against Waterford United.

Monday's game will be played to a finish with extra-time and penalties to decide the outcome if necessary.

Most Recent Meetings:
16th April 2004 (1st Division) Finn Harps 3 Sligo Rovers 0
14th June 2004 (League Cup) Sligo Rovers 1 Finn Harps 5
2nd July 2004 (1st Division) Sligo Rovers 1 Finn Harps 2
6th October 2004 (1st Division) Finn Harps 1 Sligo Rovers 0
31st May 2005 (League Cup) Sligo Rovers 1 Finn Harps 0
9th May 2006 (League Cup) Sligo Rovers 1 Finn Harps 1 (Harps won 5-4 on pens)

Form guide this season:
Sligo Rovers: D-L-L-L-W-W-L-W (10pts – Premier Division)

Monday's game kicks-off at 7.00pm.