Ronan Coughlan is hoping Sligo Rovers can maintain their successive run of home games in the extra.ie FAI Cup. The striker netted one of four goals, as the Bit O’Red saw off UCD at the Showgrounds to progress to the semi-final of the competition for
Ronan Coughlan is hoping Sligo Rovers can maintain their successive run of home games in the extra.ie FAI Cup.
The striker netted one of four goals, as the Bit O’Red saw off UCD at the Showgrounds to progress to the semi-final of the competition for the first time since they last won it in 2013.
It was the second round running that Rovers were drawn at home in this year’s tournament. An opening round hammering of Glebe North in Dublin was followed by a big win over Limerick under the shadow of Benbulben.
“Anyone at home, that would be great. Maybe Shamrock Rovers," he mused when asked about a preference.
“At home we’d back ourselves against anyone. Everyone is binding together now and the dressing room is really looking forward to a semi-final.”
Rovers’ last European odyssey was in 2014 when they beat FK Banga before being knocked out by Norwegian giants Rosenborg.
Coughlan says although the target of qualifying for the Europa League has expired, the dressing room is still excited by the possibility of doing so courtesy of a cup win.
“We wanted to achieve Europe through the league. That hasn’t worked out and now the best way is through the cup. It’s what we wanted from the start of the year.”
Although not mathematically safe from the drop zone, Sligo would need a huge shift in the status quo to suck them into a relegation battle.
Even with a sixth FAI Cup the priority, Coughlan is adamant Sligo must continue to add points to the league table starting with Friday’s visit of Finn Harps.
“We still have six games left starting with Harps," he cautioned.
“We still need to stay professional in the league. You really don’t want to go any lower than we are and we are pushing to keep as high as we can.”
