Tonight sees no Airtricity League Premier Division fixtures, but four Premier Division clubs are in action tonight in the FAI Cup quarter finals. Five matches in the Airtricity First Division complete a busy domestic schedule.
Bohemians v Bray Wanderers
A resurgent Bohemians play a similarly resurgent Bray Wanderers in one of the ties of the round at Dalymount Park tonight. Both sides come into the match from good performance- Bohemians beating Drogheda at home and Wanderers getting a draw away to Fingal. Bohs could welcome back a number of first-string players, with Ken Oman, Mark Rossiter, Paul Keegan and Aaron Greene all available. Bray recall one of the form players in the league, Shane O’Neill, for what should be a competitive contest. Verdict: A narrow Bohs win.
Shamrock Rovers v Galway United
The record holders for the most FAI Cups won are chasing their first since 1987. The Hoops though, are coming of their heaviest defeat of the season, 5-1 in Dundalk, last week. Inconsistent is the word commonly used to describe Galway- who drew 2-2 with Sligo in the Connacht derby last week after losing 4-0 the previous week to Bray. Rovers will miss Dan Murray and Robert Bayly, while Stephen O’Donnell is a doubt for the Tribesmen. Verdict: Rovers to win comfortably
Limerick FC v Cork City Foras Co-op
The Munster derby takes place in Jackman Park with Limerick needing a win to keep them in fourth place. Cork, on the other hand, could move into fifth place with a win if results go their way. Lims could only draw in their last match against Finn Harps, but have beaten their Munster rivals in all three meetings this season. Both sides are missing key players, but the Leesiders will fancy their chances against a Lims backline missing its two regular central defenders. Verdict: A score draw.
Shelbourne v Finn Harps
If Shels win, they could leapfrog Limerick and Waterford into a promotion spot of third for the first time in this half of the season. Shels haven’t lost in five league matches, after coming back from a goal down to emerge 3-1 victors in Longford last week. Harps got a valuable draw last week at home against Limerick, but their form has been poor this season. Harps have the second worst offensive record in the division- below only bottom-of-table Salthill. Verdict: A home win by more than one goal.
Longford Town v Derry City
Derry City seemed like dead-certs for promotion a few weeks ago (with one Derry bookmakers even paying out on the Candystripes winning the title) but recently their form has slumped dramatically. On Monday night Monaghan United dislodged the Candystripes from top spot from the first time in three months with a win in Athlone. Longford, meanwhile, will hope to capitalise on that slump, after letting a result slip from their hands last week against Shelbourne. Verdict: Tough one to call. We’ll go with a draw though.
Wexford Youths v Salthill Devon
Youths were having a good season by their standards until recently, even threatening to push Shelbourne for fifth at one stage. A bad run of form has hurt Noel O’Connor’s side, but a home fixture against Salthill should see them prevail. The Westerners have been utterly dire this season, losing all but eight matches from twenty-six matches. Nineteen goals for, sixty-six against tells its own story. Verdict: Wexford to win.
Mervue United v Waterford United
Waterford United must win in Galway if they are to retain their promotion spot. The Blues only drew in Galway last week against Salthill Devon, but now face near neighbours Mervue, who sit a place above Salthill. Waterford have a full squad to pick from, but Mervue are missing a number of first teamers. Mervue are on a run of nine league defeats- having not one since early July. Verdict: A narrow Waterford win.
