Cork City v Shamrock Rovers (Turner’s Cross 7.45pm)
FOR THE SECOND time in a week,Cork City face up against an in-form Shamrock Rovers side.
Including the 2-0 FAI Cup win over City, the Hoops have now won four away games on the spin.
That is a habit which Stephen Kenny is obviously eager to continue, but is expecting nothing to come easily on Lee-side:
“We want to keep that going.” he says. “This is our second time to face Cork in a week and we will be looking for a similar result tomorrow.
“You have to fight for everything you get at Turner’s Cross, and I’ve no doubt that’ll be the same tomorrow. But we will travel to the game by confidence.”
Indeed, their only dropped points since crashing out of Europe were the 1-1 home draw with table-topping Sligo Rovers. Cork, on the other hand, ended their run of eight games without a win on their last league outing, a thrilling 3-2 win at home to Drogheda.
“Rovers have settled down now after not having the best of starts,” says City boss Tommy Dunne, “but we have been performing reasonably well ourselves, even if we have not got the results.”
Team news: Chris Turner has packed his bags for Dumbarton and Rovers will also be without the injured Graham Gatland (back) and Stephen O’Donnell (hamstring).
City will have Keith Quinn, Brian Lenihan and Graham McCarthy all available for selection again after the trio were cup-tied for last week’s meeting.
Drogheda United v Dundalk (Hunky Dorys Park 7.45pm)
The Louth derby takes on the significance of the title race tonight as United seek to close the gap on Rovers to six points before the Bit O’ Red face Bohemians on Monday.
United’s form has dipped of late with their only wins in the last five games coming against Bohemians and Wexford Youths. Dundalk arrive something approaching draw specialists, but is is now 18 league games since they recorded a win. Still, meetings with their near neighbours have proved to be tight, tense affairs so far this season.
“They’re in the final of one cup, the quarter-final in another and they’re second in the league. They are great at grinding out results and have a great home record.” Dundalk boss Darius Kierans said of his rivals to the south, but added: There’s no doubt we can get points down there.”
Team news: Dundalk’s Conor McDonald and Robbie Gaul will miss out through injury. Liam Burns could feature after returning to full training this week. Admin issues now over, Paul Whelan and Stephen Maher are also free to return to the first team.
Up at the other end of the table, Drogs will be without the suspended Gavin Brennan and injured Alan McNally.
UCD v Bray Wanderers (UCD Bowl 7.45pm)
UCD will be relieved to see veteran striker Jason Bryne suspended for this clash as the home in on a Bray side sitting six points above them in the lower reaches of the Premier division.
Byrne scored both goals in Wanderers win at the Carlisle grounds while Byrne was also on the score-sheet when the Seagulls forced a 3-2 win in Dublin. Results which have clearly irked Martin Russell:
“We go into this evening’s game trying to buck the trend of our recent matches against Bray with our opponents gaining far too many points for our liking.”
Pat Devlin leads his team to Belfield unbeaten in five outings, and said: “Games between Bray and UCD are always tight and the result can go either way. We will need to be at our best if we are to get the three points.”
Team news: Byrne is Bray’s only absentee. The students midfield, however, will be all the weaker for Paul Corry’s transfer to Sheffield Wednesday.
Russell wished Corry well on his way, saying:
“Far too many Irish players leave too early for too little. When I originally signed Paul I told him that UCD was the best option for a lad his age and I hope more like him will follow in his steps in the future.”
“He has progressed in both football and academic pathways and everyone here wishes him the best.”
A groin injury will sideline Sean Russell, but Dean Clarke (hip) and Samir Belhout (toe) have trained and will be fit enough to tog out.
Shelbourne v Derry City (Tolka Park 8.0pm)
Two sides fresh from Cup success will come to blows in the late kick-off tonight. Derry beat UCD at the quarter-final stage and Shels joined them in the final four with a win over Cherry Orchard.
That ended a run of five games without a win and Alan Matthews has bemoaned the late goals which has cost his side in tight games.
Ahead of Derry’s visit, Matthews said: ” we know that, once, again, we will have to produce a top performance to win the game, but we have the players to do it. once we work hard for the duration of the game, we can get the right result.”
Declan Devine, meanwhile, complimented Shels, but also drew attention to the difficult surface in Drumcondra.
“On their day they are capable of giving anyone a match and the pitch doesn’t really allow you to play free flowing football because it is always very bumpy.”
Team news: Matthews’ only injury concerns tonight are Stephen Paisley and Philly Gorman, who are both rated doubtful.
Derry will definitely be without the suspended Stewart Greacen. Conor Murphy will return after being cup-tied, but Dermot McCaffrey, Patrick McEleney, Owen Morrison and Stephen McLaughlin all have question marks remaining over their fitness.
