League of Ireland and FAI Cup quarter-finals: Hoops seek to take big title step

33 minutes agoBen BlakeTonight’s fixtures (7.45 unless stated): 
FAI Cup quarter-finals
Drogheda United v Galway UnitedWaterford v Sligo Rovers
Premier Division Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne, 8.0 – Virgin Media Two
First Division Bray Wanderers v Cork City Cobh Ramblers v UCDFinn Harps v Athlone TownTreaty United v Wexford 15 minutes agoBen Blake“Brian Kerr called me Johnny Forty-Teeth because I missed so many training sessions because I had to go to the dentist!”
A dominant player at St Patrick’s Athletic’s during the 1990s, Paul Osam is next up to receive the LOI legends treatment.‘For your own sanity and own self-worth, it’s not nice being on the dole. I’ve never been on the dole. I’ve always worked’In the latest interview for our League of Ireland Legends series, Paul Osam talks about being the dominant force in the 1990s, losing his job at the FAI, lessons learned from his Ghanaian father and his new challengewww.independent.ie 23 minutes agoBen BlakeBit O’Red’s FAI Cup run a welcome distraction 
Currently bottom of the Premier Division table, Sligo Rovers are targeting a semi-final berth to “give the place a lift”, according to midfielder Seb Quirk. Seb Quirk says FAI Cup clash with Waterford can ‘give the place a lift’ for struggling Sligo RoversSligo Rovers midfielder Seb Quirk believes victory over Waterford in this Friday’s Sports Direct FAI Cup quarter-final would ‘give the place a lift’ as the Bit O’Red desperately search for a morale boost during what is a tricky period.www.independent.ie 27 minutes agoBen BlakeRovers’ full focus turns to retaining the title 
Following a disappointing campaign in Europe – in which they missed out on group-stage football – Hoops manager Stephen Bradley believes the character and spirit of his group has never been in question. ‘We don’t get carried away with the noise’ — Stephen Bradley keen to move on from Euro woes as Shamrock Rovers’ title run-in begins against ShelsHoops determined to retain their titlewww.independent.ie 34 minutes agoBen BlakeThe League of Ireland Show returns
Rud is in the hot seat alongside Dan to discuss the upcoming games.Rúaidhrí O’Connor & Dan McDonnell look ahead to a LOI and FAI Cup weekendIt’s a massive weekend in Irish football with both League of Ireland and FAI Cup action taking place and live TV games on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

#LeagueOfIreland #FAICup #IrishFootball #FootballIrish Independent, youtube.comExternal contentWhen displaying external content, data is transferred to third parties. 37 minutes agoBen BlakeWe’ve reached the business end in the League of Ireland and the FAI Cup 
Seán O’Connor runs the rule over all of this weekend’s action. League of Ireland and FAI Cup previews: Team news, talking points and verdictsSHAMROCK ROVERS v SHELBOURNE
(Tallaght Stadium, 8.0)www.independent.ie 39 minutes agoBen BlakeShelbourne head coach John Russell and assistant head coach Ryan Casey at Tallaght Stadium. Ben McShane/SportsfileGood evening and thanks for joining us. Eight Premier Division clubs remain in the FAI Cup with spots in the semi-finals up for grabs this weekend. 
As fate would have it, the other two top-flight sides – Shamrock Rovers and Shelbourne – face off in a rescheduled league fixture at Tallaght Stadium tonight (8.0, Virgin Media Two). 
Following a dramatic 3-3 draw away to Derry City last Sunday, a home win would extend the champions’ lead at the top of the table to eight points with just seven games left.
The two cup quarter-finals up for decision this evening are the meeting of rejuvenated Waterford and lowly Sligo Rovers – their first in this competition in 13 years – and a tie between 2024 winners Drogheda United and Galway United. 
It also means you can watch Irish football on free-to-air TV across the weekend, with RTÉ 2 showing St Patrick’s Athletic v Bohemians (tomorrow, 4.0) and Derry City v Dundalk (Sunday, 4.0).  
The country is getting ready for Katie Taylor’s farewell fight at Croke Park tomorrow night, and the seafront of her hometown Bray will be staging an outdoor screening of the world title defence against Flora Pili. 
Before that, however, the Carlisle Grounds hosts the Seagulls’ First Division clash with runaway leaders Cork City, who can secure the title with a win as they sit 20 points clear of UCD with seven matches remaining. 
That’s one of four second-tier games tonight, with Bray among the teams chasing a play-off place. TickarooLive Blog Software