1. Rebels at Dalyer
IN ONE OF of two Premier Division matches on Friday night, Cork City travel to Dublin after their recent 2-1 win over UCD at Turner’s Cross.
Neck-and-neck with Dundalk at the top of the table, John Caulfield’s men have claimed four victories and one draw from their last five league games.
Bohemians were one of the six clubs who didn’t play last weekend but are unbeaten in four and did claim a 1-1 draw when the teams met at Turner’s Cross earlier in the season.
2. Hoops host Drogs
With just a single point separating themselves and the drop zone, Drogheda United head to Tallaght Stadium eager to add three more to their tally.
In the absence of league action, the Drogs picked up two friendlies wins against MK Dons and Warrenpoint and caretaker Darius Kierans has expressed his satisfaction with the performances.
It will be his fourth match in charge since Robbie Horgan’s departure but, worryingly, the Louth outfit have lost out to the Hoops in the league and cup already in 2014. Third-placed Rovers are without Stephen McPhail, seeing out the final game of his suspension, while goalkeeper Barry Murphy is doubtful.
3. Saints look to put Europe behind them
St Patrick’s Athletic will be aiming to end a disappointing week, which had promised so much, on a high on Saturday evening.
After their 1-1 first leg draw with Legia Warsaw in the Champions League, there was premature talk of a high profile tie against Celtic in the next round. However, the Saints were brought right back down to earth with a 5-0 hammering at Tallaght Stadium on Wednesday night.
The reigning champions are in Lissywollen tomorrow to take on an Athlone side who went down 2-0 to Dundalk last Sunday.
4. Candystripes at the Bowl
UCD will be without Robbie Creevy and Hugh Douglas when Derry City arrive at the Belfield Bowl on Sunday. Creevy, who was on target in the 2-1 defeat to Cork last time out, is out for four week with a thigh problem while Douglas was sent off in that game meaning he is suspended.
Derry will this morning be on their way home from Belarus, where they lost to Shakhter Soligorsk in the second leg of their Europa League second qualifying round last night.
The Candystripes’ last involvement in the league produced a 5-0 drubbing of Bray Wanderers at the Brandywell and manager Peter Hutton will be hoping for more of the same as they look to break back into the top five.
5. Seagulls travel to Louth
Bray Wanderers were 1-0 winners over a Manchester United Reserve XI during a friendly at the Carlisle Grounds earlier in the week and the Seagulls meet QPR in the final game of their summer series a day before their clash with league leaders Dundalk.
Alan Mathews’ men were comprehensively beaten 3-0 by Shamrock Rovers at home last Friday night and will have it all do against a Lilywhites team beaten just twice all season in the league.
Premier Division
Friday (8pm)
- Bohemians v Cork City
- Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United
Saturday (7.45pm)
- Athlone Town v St Patrick’s Athletic
Sunday (7pm unless stated otherwise)
- UCD v Derry City (5pm)
- Dundalk v Bray
- Sligo Rovers v Limerick
First Division
Friday (8pm unless stated otherwise)
- Galway v Cobh Ramblers (7.45pm)
- Shelbourne v Finn Harps
- Wexford Youths v Shamrock Rovers
Saturday (7.30pm)
- Longford Town v Waterford United
