The battles continue in the Airtricity League this weekend with a full programme of Premier and First Division matches taking place over Friday and Saturday.
In the Premier Division leaders St Patrick’s Athletic are in Tallaght to face Shamrock Rovers while second place Dundalk meet Shelbourne at Tolka Park and fourth place Derry City are at The Belfield Bowl to face UCD. Third place Sligo Rovers play Bray Wanderers on Saturday night at The Showgrounds. Caretaker managers Stuart Ashton and Owen Heary will be in charge when Cork City face Bohemians at Turner’s Cross while Drogheda United and Limerick meet at Hunky Dorys Park.
In the First Division the big game is on Saturday night when the top two Athlone Town and Longford Town meet in the El Classico de Midlands at City Calling Stadium but before that the chasing pack can close the gap on the leaders with Friday’s games featuring Waterford United against Cobh Ramblers, Mervue United at home to Wexford Youths and Finn Harps hosting Salthill Devon.
Friday Previews
Premier Division
Cork City v Bohemians, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
Having parted company with manager Tommy Dunne after week’s defeat to Limerick, Cork City will be hoping to build on their FAI Ford Cup win over Kilbarrack last Monday when they face bottom side Bohemians. Only six points separate the sides so a defeat would drag the Leesiders into the relegation dog-fight. Cork have Colin Healy (knee) back but there are doubts over the availability of Ian Turner, John Dunleavy and Neal Horgan. Darren Dennehy (foot), Kevin Burns (arm) and Kevin Murray (groin) are definitely ruled out, while Kalen Spillane and Daryl Horgan are both suspended. Having conceded goals from corners and a free-kick last week against UCD, Bohemians have spent the week on defending set-pieces and travel south knowing they have lost twice to Cork this season. Midfielders Dave Mulcahy and Ryan McEvoy return from injury but Chris Lyons (bruised ribs), Andy Mulligan (hamstring), Stephen Doran (ankle) and Keith Buckley (suspended) are not available.
Drogheda United v Limerick, Hunky Dorys Park, 7.45pm
Drogheda will be hoping to reproduce some of their cup form when they host Limerick. Mick Cooke’s side qualified for their second cup final this season when they beat Derry City in the EA SPORTS Cup last Monday. The home side are without Gary O'Neill and Eric Foley while Graham Rusk is a doubt. Limerick drew their first visit to Hunky Dory Park 2-2 back in March but lost at home 1-0 in May at Thomond Park. Stephen McGann and Shane Tracy are still out injured but Stuart Taylor may include new signings defender Cecil Nyoni, midfielder Prince Agywmang and goalkeeper Ali Abaas in his travelling squad.
UCD v Derry City, The UCD Bowl, 7.45pm
UCD got their first win in five games last week against Bohemians and will have found memories of their trip to the Brandywell earlier in the season when they won 4-2. Derry mightn’t want to remember that game but they will have happy memories of their 6-0 victory at The Bowl back in March. It’s been a bad week for Derry who lost at home last Friday to Sligo Rovers and then on Monday to Drogheda United in the EA SPORTS Cup . Derry have now lost three of their last four league games and cannot afford to drop many more points on the teams above them. UCD striker Robbie Benson (knee) is doubtful while James Kavanagh and Mark Langtry are suspended. Derry will be without the services of Kevin Deery (knee) Barry Molloy (calf) and Stewart Greacen (knee) while Eoghan Osbourne returns after being cup tied for last Monday’s defeat.
Shamrock Rovers v St. Patrick's Athletic, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
With just one win in their last five league games, Shamrock Rovers’ title aspirations are hanging on by a thin thread and St Patrick’s Athletic could move a massive 14 points ahead of their Southside rivals if they win this derby match. The Hoops have the edge in matches this season with two wins and a draw from league and cup encounters but they hardly need reminding that they had a better record over Dundalk until they went to Oriel Park last Friday night and got beaten 3-1. Still, Trevor Croly’s side are unbeaten at home in the league this season and Pat’s haven’t won in Tallaght since March 2010. Pat’s have former Hoops’ midfielder Killian Brennan suspended while Shane McFaul (groin) faces a late fitness test. Rovers striker Mark Quigley (calf) is out while Tommy Stewart (dead leg) is a doubt. Stephen Rice and Jason McGuinness are both suspended for the tie after receiving red cards in last week’s league game. New signing Richie Ryan could figure if his International Clearance comes through in time.
Shelbourne v Dundalk, Tolka Park, 8pm
Second place Dundalk face a rejuvenated Shelbourne side that has only lost once in their last seven league games and is steadily climbing up the table and away from the relegation zone. Stephen Kenny’s side could go top if they win and St Patrick’s Athletic fail to beat Shamrock Rovers. Dundalk have won the three previous meetings this season but they were all close games. Keith Ward (cruciate ligament) and John Mountney (ankle) both miss out for Dundalk but Dane Masey (knee) and Mark Rossiter (hamstring) are doubtful. Shels Paul Crowley, Robert Bayly and Mark Leech remain absent through injury and have been joined by Jack Memery and Stephen Sheering but Gareth O'Connor returns.
First Division
Mervue United v Wexford Youths, Fahy's Field, 7.45pm
Mervue will be looking to bounce back to winning ways after their four game unbeaten run was ended by a dramatic injury time winner in Cobh last week while Wexford are looking to build on their draw over Longford Town which halted a run of five successive defeats. Honours are even this season between these two with one win each. Mervue are without the suspended Jason Molloy and Ryan Manning while defender Michael McSweeney has left the club after securing a teaching job in Spain. Midfielders Gary Curran (calf) and Gary Kelly (groin) also remain on the injured list. Wexford report no problems.
Waterford United v Cobh Ramblers, RSC, 7.45pm
Waterford are looking for their first home league win against Cobh in over ten years. They last defeated the Ramblers in the league in their promotion winning 2002/03 season, and the two sides did not met again in the league until this year when they played out a scoreless draw at the RSC, and the Blues won 2-0 at St Coleman's Park. Both sides come into the game in good form with Waterford having come from behind to win in Salthill last week while Cobh defeated Mervue. Waterford have defenders Gavin Kavanagh and John Frost back from suspension but full back Michael Coady and midfielder Peter White remain out injured, and forward Paul Quilty is struggling with a chest muscle injury. Cobh report no problems.
Finn Harps v Salthill Devon, Finn Park, 8pm
Finn Harps go looking for back to back home wins when they face bottom side Salthill Devon at Finn Park. Only Athlone Town and Waterford United have left Finn Park with victories this season and while Salthill have earned just one draw in seven previous visits they beat Harps on Drom earlier this season. Harps will be without Michael Doherty who misses out through suspension. Damien McNulty is still sidelined as continues his recovery from a recent foot injury. Salthill have Michael Harty suspended.
