Sligo Rovers v St Patrick’s Athletic
The only two unbeaten sides left in the league meet for what is undoubtedly one of the most highly anticipated games of the season so far.
Sligo go into the game on the back of their disappointing Setanta Cup semi-final loss against Crusaders. Pat’s, meanwhile, earned a comfortable win over UCD last week.
Ahead of the game, Sligo manager Ian Baraclough said:
“These are the games you want to be involved in where you’re top of the league and the cameras are coming down. This one game will not decide who wins honours this year, it is just three points but it is a match we want to win. St Pat’s will play their own game and I expect it to be a good game.”
His opposite number, Liam Buckley, added:
“Sligo have started the season impressively, and have continued to produce a really decent brand of football since Paul Cook has left. Ian has come in at short notice and done a fantastic job to have his side at the top and still unbeaten. We’re really looking forward to the challenge though, and similarly, we’ll be trying to remain unbeaten.”
Team news:
For Sligo, Jason McGuinness has returned to the squad, while Alan Keane is doubtful with a knee injury. Pat’s, on the other hand, have a fully fit squad to choose from with the exception of Stephen O’Flynn, who has a thigh strain.
Dundalk v Bohemians
Bohemians will be hoping to improve on their surprise 1-0 loss to Monaghan last week in this evening’s game at Oriel Park. The hosts, in contrast, will be hoping they can build on their impressive defeat of Derry City.
Speaking ahead of the game, Bohemians boss Aaron Callaghan said his side can take nothing for granted this season: “There will be a lot of strange results this season and there will be ups and downs for lots of clubs. We’ve dusted ourselves down, done some really good work on the training ground and we’ll go to Dundalk to get a win.”
Team news:
Liam Burns (ankle), Mark Griffin (groin) and Derek Foran (back) will be missing for Dundalk, while Chris Shields is suspended. In addition, Hernany Macedo’s wait for a work permit continues. Bohemians have concerns over Karl Moore (shoulder) and Derek Pender (hamstring), though Dwayne Wilson is back from a family event in Australia.
UCD v Drogheda United
UCD face a Drogheda side that hasn’t lost since the opening day of the season. The Students, though, have been far less consistent, only picking up one point from their last three matches.
UCD manager Martin Russell has acknowledged that Drogheda represent formidable opponents: “Everyone recognises the great start that Drogheda have had this season. Mick Cooke has added some good quality to last year’s squad and they are playing without fear and picking up some great results. From our own point of view we must try and bounce back and produce the type of performance that gives us the best chance of winning the game.”
Drogheda boss Mick Cooke says his side mustn’t get carried away on account of their recent good form: “This will be a tricky game for us – it’s never easy going to Belfield. They will be well setup and they like to play nice football like us. But we won’t be going there with any complacency. They may be on a bad run, but these things can change very quickly, especially in our league.”
Team news:
Mick Leahy and Sean Russell have returned to training for UCD. However, Ger Barron (toe), Chris Mulhall (groin) and Tomas Boyle (back) are all doubtful. For Drogheda, Paul Crowley is the only absentee.
Monaghan United v Bray Wanderers
(Bray conceded a controversial penalty against Shamrock Rovers last week – INPHO/Donall Farmer)
A win for Monaghan tonight will lift them off the bottom of the table, having shocked Bohemians last week. Bray, though, will have taken heart from their encouraging performance against Shamrock Rovers last week.
Monaghan boss Roddy Collins said he was looking forward to the game: “Bray Wanderers also had a good outing last weekend and have to be disappointed in not putting away Shamrock Rovers when they were so dominant in the game. I am expecting a good evening’s football.”
And Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin echoed Collins’ sentiments: “It will be a different game in Monaghan – it’s always difficult there. It’s never easy against Monaghan and we can expect the same on Friday, we are looking forward to it.”
Team news:
Bray are still without Shane O’Connor (groin) and Stephen Brennan (hamstring). Meanwhile, Alan Byrne and Aidan Collins are likely to return for Monaghan, though Chris Bennion and Keith Quinn are suspended, and Willo McDonagh is back from his ban.
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City
The two sides meet again following their recent Setanta Cup clashes. Rovers beat Derry 2-0 earlier this week, but the score was still not good enough, as they failed to overturn a 3-0 first-leg deficit.
Rovers boss Stephen Kenny believes home advantage could be crucial in this encounter: “We have had great support at home this season, and we have had a good record at home too. We know we’ll face a tough test from Derry City, but we will be looking to keep up our good home record in the league. We’ll have a battle on our hands, but that’s to be expected in this league.”
Derry City boss Declan Devine says his side must improve on their most recent performance: “The lads know that they will have to up their game from last Monday night if we are to get anything from the game in Tallaght. We know it will be a tough game against the Champions and we will have to rely on a number of our young players once again.”
Team news:
For Rovers, Ciaran Kilduff (broken metatarsal) and Stephen O’Donnell (knee cartilage) remain injured, while Killian Brennan (calf) is a doubt. Derry’s Stewart Greacen (knee) and Rory Patterson (foot) have been ruled out, while Kevin Deery, Shane McEleney and Owen Morrison are doubts.
Shelbourne v Cork City
Cork have endured a decent start to life in the top flight, and only narrowly lost to Sligo last week. Shels, however, were well beaten by in-form Drogheda, exacerbating their disappointing start to the season.
Shelbourne boss Alan Matthews has spoken of the similarities between the two sides: “Both clubs have come back from the wilderness of the First Division, and it’s a game we are really looking forward to. Playing Cork at home is one of the big games of the season and should see two sides eager to play the game in the right manner.”
And Cork manager Tommy Dunne said he was expecting a closely-fought match: “Tolka Park is always a tough place to go, and games between ourselves and Shelbourne there have always been tight affairs over the last couple of years. Although they suffered a defeat last week, they have started the season quite well and they have been more competitive than us up to now. Alan Mathews has put a good squad together there, but we are going up there with the intention of trying to pick up something out of the game, though it will be a tough game for us.”
Team news:
Lorcan Fitzgerald and Stephen Hurley remain absent for Shels, and Stephen Paisley is suspended. Cork City defender John Dunleavy will be out for a number of weeks with a knee injury, and Gearóid Morrissey (back), Shane O’Connor (foot) and Jamie Murphy (ankle) are 50:50 to play. Stephen Mulcahy, Kevin Murray and Neal Horgan, however, are definitely out for tonight’s game.
