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PREVIEW: SLIGO ROVERS - SPORTING FINGAL
Gareth Maher - Thursday, November 19, 2009
Chris Konopka and Sporting Fingal aim to finish their season on a high as they take on Sligo Rovers in the FAI Ford Cup final on Sunday in Tallaght Stadium.

It has been a memorable year for Sporting, who achieved their target of promotion to the Premier Division following a play-off victory over Bray Wanderers, but they are not finished just yet.

The Dublin-based team did remarkably well to reach the final of the FAI Cup - with a notable scalp of Shamrock Rovers along the way - so they will not want to give up their first ever chance to win some silverware in Sunday's showdown encounter.

Also on offer for the winning team is a place in the Europa League qualifiers for next year. Sporting are a relatively new club, yet they stand on the cusp of winning the biggest cup competition in Irish football and making it into Europe.

Manager Liam Buckley is still not sure if midfielder Alan Kirby will be fit enough to start or if he will stick with Darren Quigley in goal and disappoint Konopka by leaving him on the sidelines.

For Konopka, he will be itching to feature in the game after performing so well in previous rounds of the competition and sitting on the bench for Bohemians last year in a thrilling final with Derry City that had to be decided in a penalty shoot-out.

Sligo will go into the game as favorites and Paul Cook's team should not be underestimated despite struggling for form throughout their season.

Richard Brush is very unlikely to play, so Ciaran Kelly should start between the posts for The Bit O'Red. Although their biggest blow is that captain Conor O'Grady is suspended.

See these related articles
Preview: Bray Wanderers - Sporting Fingal
Preview: Sporting Fingal - Bray Wanderers
Recap: Weekend Irish action
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