SHAMROCK ROVERS will be in the driving seat as they meet Sligo Rovers in tonight’s Setanta Sports Cup semi-final second leg at Tallaght Stadium. The Hoops secured a 2-0 first leg victory last week and will be favourites to progress to meet Dundalk in the final on May 14.

Sligo will be without John Russell through suspension as a result of his dismissal in the first leg but Danny Ventre returns from suspension and Joseph Ndo is back after illness.

Bit O’Red manager Paul Cook acknowledge the difficult task facing the visitors tonight: “We were well beaten by Shamrock Rovers last week. We didn’t perform and they very much deserved the win.

“That was disappointing but this group of players have been very good for me and they will be keen to deliver an improved display for the second leg. “I’m sure they will give it their all and we’ll see where that gets us in the overall tie.

“All you can do is your best – we're keen to reach another final and we always have good tussles with Shamrock Rovers so this should be another good match.”