BOHEMIANS MEET CORK City at Dalymount Park this evening, with both sides hoping to end the season on a high, despite being stuck towards the middle of the league.
Bohs manager Aaron Callaghan is hopeful his side can at least secure a place in the Setanta Sports Cup, and a win tonight tonight will boost their chances of doing so.
“I think we can target 11 or 12 points from the five remaining games,” he said.
“The onus is on us to go out and win the games. If we make sure that the attitude of the players is right, we can get a run of wins.”
Meanwhile, speaking to the official Cork City website ahead of the game, Cork boss Tommy Dunne said:
“We have lost one and drawn one against Bohemians so far this season, though I think we played very well in the drawn game. We have the incentive of trying to win the game tomorrow, which would put us in a good position going into the final four games.”
John Dunleavy, Colin Healy, Cathal Lordan and Brian Lenihan are injured for Cork, while Ian Turner and Gearóid Morrissey are suspended.
For Bohs, Derek Pender is suspended and Ryan McEvoy (ankle) is doubtful, though both Kevin Feely and Garreth O’Connor are likely to be available for selection.
In addition, Derry City take on UCD at the Brandywell this evening, with the latter side embroiled in a relegation battle towards the bottom of the table.
Ahead of the game, Derry manager Declan Devine said:
“Over the last number of seasons we have had very tight games with UCD, and I expect this to no different. They have been in good form of late and that form has seen them open a gap on Dundalk at the bottom. Martin, as always, will have them playing the game at a very high standard, and with flair not often seen in this league, but I feel that we have the confidence now to finish out the season on a high.”
Conversely, UCD boss Martin Russell is hopeful his side can maintain their recent good run of form with a win.
“We are looking to continue our run of recent victories, but we know Derry will be full of confidence after their superb win against Mervue in the cup last week, and that will keep their season very much alive.”
Derry have several absentees for the game. Simon Madden and Ryan McBride are suspended, while Rory Patterson is also out, but they welcome back Owen Morrison, Ruaidhri Higgins, Stewart Greacen and Conor Murphy.
Cillian Morrison (ankle) and Graham Rusk (Shin) are both back in full training for UCD, as is Chris Mulhall (groin).
Yet the game may have come too soon for the trio, though the Students do welcome back David O’Connor (hamstring) and Mark Langtry (away on work placement) to action.
League leaders Sligo Rovers play Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds, hoping to consolidate their lead at the top of the league.
Manager Ian Baraclough has called for his side to remain calm, ahead of what undoubtedly represents a crucial few weeks for the club.
“Everyone speculates about what can happen in the last few weeks of a season. That isn’t in our control and nobody is getting beyond themselves. If you look too far ahead, things can change very quickly. If football was run on predictions, we’d all be very rich from bookmakers, but it doesn’t work that way.”
Danny North (cruciate), Alan Keane (metertasal) and Gavin Peers (suspended) are all out for Sligo, though Mark Quigley returns after a thigh injury.
Meanwhile, Bray Director of Football Pat Devlin says his side are relishing the tie.
“We have to improve our finishing, it will be a tough game for us on Friday against the league leaders, it’s always tough against Sligo, but we are looking forward to it.”
Bray have a full squad to choose from for the tie, with both Jason Byrne and Dean Zambra returning from suspension.
Finally, Shelbourne play Dundalk at Oriel Park, with the hosts hoping to avoid relegation at the end of the season despite currently finding themselves at the bottom of the league.
For Shels, Anto Murphy is suspended, and Philly Hughes (groin) and Philly Gorman (hip) are doubtful.
Speaking ahead of the match, Shels boss Alan Mathews has insisted his side won’t take their foot off the pedal for the remaining few league games.
“We will go into Friday’s game well prepared as we do for each game. There are still 15 league points to be won and we want to get as many of them as possible to push up the table.”
Dundalk, meanwhile, must cope with the absences of John Mountney, Mark O’Brien (both suspended), Lorcan Shannon (thigh), Robbie Gaul (knee), Garreth Brady (ankle) and Peter Thomas (thigh).
All games kick off at 7.45 unless stated:
