Bohemians v Monaghan United
Monaghan remain in the hunt for their first win of the season, while Bohemians look to continue their recent excellent form, as the two sides prepare to meet at Dalymount Park.
Bohemians boss Aaron Callaghan says he is expecting a tough encounter: “They’ve gone to Tallaght and restricted Rovers to a couple of late goals, and the Cork result is neither here nor there, they could easily have been two up. I know Roddy, he’ll have them up for it, especially coming back here.”
His opposite number, Roddy Collins, claims his side are not letting their recent poor form affect them: “I’m looking forward to returning to Dalymount Park to play Bohemians – a venue and a club that I have some great memories of from my time there. Our lads have endeavored to put the memories of the bad result behind them with some excellent training sessions during the week and all are keen for this encounter with Bohs.”
Team news
For Bohemians, Dwayne Wilson returns from a family commitment in Australia, while Dave Scully is absent through suspension. The visitors must cope with suspensions to Keith Quinn and Willo McDonagh, in addition to injuries for Aidan Collins and Alan Byrne. Meanwhile, Shaun Maher, John Reilly and Conor McMahon are also fitness doubts.
Bray Wanderers v Shamrock Rovers
Bray take on the champions, having lost four games in succession. Rovers will also be looking to bounce back, after their midweek Setanta Cup exit.
Rovers boss Stephen Kenny has called for more consistency from his side: “We need to concentrate on the game against Bray now. Pat Devlin has again managed to unearth some excellent young players and when you go to Bray you’re always in for a battle. Our display against Dundalk was excellent and that is something we should aspire to every week.”
Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin says the side will be placing an emphasis on the result rather than the performance: “It’s time now to get results, it’s not about performances. I will be emphasising that we need to put points on the board. We are both coming into the game off the back of defeats. It should be interesting.”
Team news
Bray’s Shane O’Connor and Adam Mitchell are 50:50 to play the game. Rovers also have their problems with Kerrea Gilbert (hamstring), Ciaran Kilduff (broken metatarsal) and Stephen O’Donnell (knee cartilage) ruled out, while Killian Brennan (calf) is a doubt. Conor Winn, however, will return for the visitors.
Cork City v Sligo Rovers
Cork are in buoyant mood having recently hammered Monaghan 6-0, as they prepare to take on league leaders Sligo.
Cork manager Tommy Dunne says he he has been impressed by the opposition’s recent form: “Sligo have had an excellent start to the season, and are the early pace-setters, so we know they will provide tough opposition. I watched their game against Derry, and they have quality all over pitch. From our point of view, it is good to be playing quality opposition who will challenge us and help us to improve.”
Sligo boss Ian Baraclough is hopeful his side can continue their unbeaten league record, despite having endured a midweek Setanta Cup loss: “Losing at Crusaders was a disappointment but the players are keen for Friday night because we have got a bunch of characters that hate losing. It hurts them and they will want the chance to get back to it. I’ll be looking for an improvement and we’ll be in good spirits travelling down to Cork.”
Team news
Cork could be without Jamie Murphy (ankle) and John Dunleavy (knee), and Stephen Mulcahy, Neal Horgan and Kevin Murray are still absent through injury. Sligo, on the other hand, have a full squad to choose from, with the possible exception of Jason McGuinness, who is a doubt with a shoulder injury.
Derry City v Dundalk
(A Kevin Deery goal helped Derry advance to the Setanta Cup final – INPHO/Donall Farmer)
Despite their indifferent recent league form, Derry will have been boosted by their Setanta Cup win during the week. The same cannot be said for Dundalk however, as they will be looking to improve on their recent 6-0 loss to Rovers.
But despite the opposition’s recent drubbing, Derry City manager Declan Devine is not expecting an easy game: “Dundalk will be looking to restore some pride after their defeat in Tallaght last week and will come into this game with nothing to lose. We have seen teams come here in the past and make it difficult for us and I expect Dundalk to be no different.”
Team news
Rory Patterson (foot), Ruaidhri Higgins (groin), Owen Morrison (calf) and Stewart Greacen (knee) are all out for Derry, who will be hoping Shane McEleney, Stephen McLoughlin and Simon Madden pass late fitness tests. Mark Griffin is absent for Dundalk, but they are optimistic that Nathan Murphy (toe) and Eoghan Osborne will be fit in time for the game.
Drogheda United v Shelbourne
Shelbourne travel to Drogheda on the back of their first league win of the campaign against Bray last week. Their opponents will be looking to maintain their six-game unbeaten run, having not lost since the opening day of the season.
Drogheda United boss Mick Cooke believes Shelbourne will prove to be formidable opponents: “Shels are on a good run at the moment and certainly there is a lot of confidence about the club. They will also bring a big crowd down with them, which should generate a good atmosphere. Alan Mathews has done a great job with them, and with their promotion and good form, they are a match for anyone on their day.”
And Shelbourne manager Alan Mathews was equally complimentary about Drogheda: “It’s going to be another very difficult game. Drogheda have had a great start to the season. They have some good players, have a good togetherness about them because they’ve made such a good start and we know it’s going to be difficult. We’re going to have to work very hard to make sure we get the three points.”
Team news
Paul Crowley remains injured for Drogheda, but the hosts can at least welcome back Ryan Brennan and Cathal Brady. And for Shelbourne, Lorcan Fitzgerald (dislocated shoulder) and Stephen Hurley (punctured lung) have both been ruled out.
St Patrick’s Athletic v UCD
St Patrick’s Athletic will be looking to maintain their unbeaten against UCD in Richmond Park. The Students, on the other hand, will be hoping to avenge their recent 2-1 loss to St Pat’s in the EA Sports Cup.
Ahead of the game, St Patrick’s Athletic boss Liam Buckley paid tribute to his opposite number: “Martin continues to work wonders at UCD and he must really be commended for the work he does year in and year out. Like ourselves, UCD try to keep the ball on the ground and play attractive football. We know that they’ll really put it up to us having played against them recently, so it should make for an entertaining game.”
Russell, meanwhile, says he will make changes to his side: “We played some good football against Bohs but we didn’t get the reward I felt we deserved. Following the last game against St Pat’s, the personnel will change slightly, but I believe we are in for an entertaining game, with both sides looking to play good football and as ever, we will look to grab all three points.”
Team news
Ger Barron (toe) and Mick Leahy (hip flexor) are injury worries for UCD, while Pat’s have a full squad to choose from.
