Sporting Fingal continue the defence of their FAI Ford Cup by hosting the in-form Limerick on Friday night at Morton Stadium (7.45pm).

Liam Buckley’s sole injury concern is Colin Hawkins, who will undergo a pre-match fitness test to determine if he’s fit to start after six weeks out with broken ribs.

After Monday’s night’s last-gasp defeat to St. Patrick’s Athletic which brought their four match winning streak to an end, Buckley is expecting another difficult challenge for his charges from the First Division side.

“We were in the same position as Limerick last season insofar as they’ll want to belie their tag of underdogs against a top-flight side,” he said.

“From our perspective, the memories our last season’s triumph remain with the players who enjoyed that occasion and I’m certain that they, along with our pre-season recruits, will want to repeat last year’s heroics by marching on towards the final which has the extra caret of being played in the Aviva Stadium.

“Those ambitions can only be maintained with a strong display tonight against a Limerick side very much in the ascendancy.”