THE fingerprints of history are all over the 2009 Ford FAI Cup final, which features Sligo Rovers and Sporting Fingal at Tallaght Stadium this afternoon (3.0, RTE2).

It isn't that Sligo Rovers, as a club, are 80 years older than their rivals. That has happened before, when Shelbourne played Cork City in 1998.

It isn't that Sporting Fingal could win the Cup in only their second season in the League of Ireland. That has happened before, when Transport beat Cork Athletic in 1950.

It isn't even that Sporting Fingal could be the first First Division team to win the Cup. That honour belongs to Bray Wanderers as far back as 1990 when they beat St Francis.

No, the historic nature of this final is all about Sporting Fingal's rapid rise to prominence. Three years ago, it was merely a good idea being floated by Fingal County senior executive officer John O'Brien. When he mentioned it to his friend Niall Quinn, the former Republic of Ireland striker put him in touch with an old colleague from his Manortown United days, Liam Buckley (pictured). What was a slow burn developed speedy legs.

Buckley, who had extensive experience as a player in Ireland and on the Continent, and as a manager with St Patrick's Athletic, Athlone Town and Shamrock Rovers, had ideas about the correct structure for a club. O'Brien liked what he heard, a presentation was made to the Council, approval was forthcoming, and the show was on the road in 2007, with an application made for membership of the League's A Championship.

When Kilkenny City dropped out of the First Division at the beginning of 2008, an invitation was extended to Fingal to fill the vacancy, which they did, finishing a respectable third and advancing to the quarter-finals of the Cup.

There are obvious benefits for any town or county if their team is successful, but Buckley is at pains to point out: "The Council doesn't put one cent into our project. We had to present a business plan, which was approved by BDO Xavier Simpson, and we had to get in a benefactor, which we did in Gerry Gannon. We are paying rent for Morton Stadium, and while the Council are going to build a sports complex, which will include a 5,000-seater stadium, we will be paying rent there also.

"We are not paying the stupid wages that people think. We have five senior experienced players and, credit to them all, they are not in it for big money. For instance, we couldn't afford Darren Quigley, so when we got him on loan for the season from Derry City, they were paying part of his wages."

Buckley, who insists "this is about the County Development Plan, not just Sporting Fingal," is happy that tie-ins with schools and clubs within the county and the development of their own Academy will help develop the fanbase which, at present, is in the low hundreds, although they have sold almost 3,000 tickets for today's game.

Success, and a place in next year's Europa League, could speed up the development of that fanbase, and Buckley, having already secured promotion to the Premier Division, is excited about the potential in his players. "We signed them because we felt they would train on with us. They have a decent age profile, and I expect them to realise their potential. And if they do that, they could turn over Sligo."

However, finals traditionally favour the fresher team, and in this case that has to be Sligo Rovers, whose season ended on November 6 with a comfortable 3-1 win over Drogheda United. Fingal, on the other hand, have since played three tough games in seven days to secure their place in the Premier Division. Just how much that takes out of their legs remains to be seen, but it tilts the odds in favour of Sligo.

Although Sligo will be without their influential captain and midfield anchor Conor O'Grady, who is suspended, they can switch Danny Ventre to that role or bring in Richie Ryan. And the extra couple of weeks should help winger Owen Morrison over his injury problems. Strikers get the glory, but it is defenders who win games, and both Fingal and Sligo are well served at the back. Alan Keane and Gavin Peers have formed a formidable partnership for Sligo, while Shaun Maher and Stephen Paisley do likewise for Fingal.

The game-breakers are the players who can deliver the perfect cross or weighted pass and in Sligo's case this would be either Romuald Boco, captain of Benin, or Morrison, while Fingal's suppliers include Shane McFaul, Robert Bayly, Alan Kirby and Gary O'Neill.

Up front, putting the finishing touches, Sligo are not so well served. Raffaele Cretaro has had a fine season, but Matthew Blinkhorn and Eoin Doyle are not prolific scorers.

Fingal, on the other hand, have an embarrassment of riches, with Conan Byrne and Eamonn Zayed banging goals in for fun, with support from O'Neill, Kirby and Bayly.

Head to head, there is not a lot separating these teams, both of whom like to play a passing game, but the advantage of playing at a higher level all season may swing it Sligo's way.

Probable teams

Sligo Rovers: Ciaran Kelly; Romuald Boco, Alan Keane, Gavin Peers, Joe Kendrick; Owen Morrison, Danny Ventre, Richie Ryan, Eoin Doyle; Raffaele Cretaro, Matthew Blinkhorn.

Sporting Fingal: Darren Quigley; Colm James, Shaun Maher, Stephen Paisley, Lorcan Fitzgerald; Conan Byrne, Shane McFaul, Shaun Williams, Alan Kirby; Gary O'Neill, Eamonn Zayed.

Sunday Independent