After the mid-week European action, the focus switches back to the Airtricity League this evening with seven matches down for decision between the Premier and First Divisions.
The meeting between Cork City and Dundalk will be shown live on Setanta Sports (8.05pm) and with St Patrick’s Athletic, Derry City and Sligo Rovers all idle, Stephen Kenny’s side can move into second place with a win and close the gap on the leaders to one point.
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Shamrock Rovers also have the opportunity to make up ground when they face UCD while managerless Bohemians travel to Bray Wanderers and Shelbourne host Limerick.
In the First Division, leaders Longford Town don’t play until Saturday so chasers Athlone Town can close the gap to four points with a win at home to Salthill Devon while elsewhere Wexford Youths host Waterford United and Finn Harps visit Mervue United.
Tonight’s Previews
Premier Division
Bray Wanderers v Bohemians, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm
Caretaker manager Owen Heary takes charge of Bohemians for the first time following the mid-week departure of Aaron Callaghan. He won’t be in the dug-out, however, as he is serving a playing suspension which also excludes him from the bench. Graham O’Hanlon and Terry Butler will look after things in the dug-out tonight. Heary has a full strength squad to work with as Andy Mulligan is back from the World Student Games, Ciaran Nangle, Stephen Traynor and Ryan McEvoy have recovered from ankle injuries and new signing Mark Byrne has been added to the first team panel. The sides have met twice already this season and Bohemians have won both encounters. They have also scored on their last ten League visits to the Carlisle Grounds. Bray are almost at full strength with midfielder Kevin O’Connor (suspension) their only absentee.
Shelbourne v Limerick, Tolka Park, 8pm
Shelbourne could move off the bottom if results goes their way tonight but first they have got to at least avoid defeat at home to Limerick whom they drew 0-0 with at Thomond Park earlier in the season. Shels come into the game on the back of a 2-1 win over Cork City while Limerick played out a 4-4 draw against Bray Wanderers. Shels Paul Crowley (hip) will possibly be out for the rest of the season while Robert Bayly (ankle) is ikely to be sidelined for some weeks and Gareth O'Connor (leg) also misses out. Dean Kelly is available as are new signings Jamie McGlynn and Carl Walshe are likely to come to come into contention. Limerick report no problems.
Shamrock Rovers v UCD, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Shamrock Rovers can move within six points of the league leaders by beating UCD at Tallaght but will be mindful that the Collegfe beat them when the sides met earlier this season, one of only two defeats suffered by the Hoops this year. Barry Murphy (bruised ribs) and David Elebert (calf) remain out of the Hoops squad while there are also doubts over Conor McCormack (dead leg) and Pat Sullivan (groin). UCD have Cillian Morrison back from the World University Games in Russia but Mick Leahy (groin) and Tomas Boyle (hamstring) are out.
Cork City v Dundalk, Turner's Cross, 8.05pm (Live on Setanta Sports)
Cork City will be looking to make it three home wins in a row against high-flying Dundalk who have won eight of their ten away games this season and have yet to draw on their travels. Corkj goalkeeper Kevin Burns is ruled out with an arm injury sustained in training, while defenders Kevin Murray (groin) and Darren Dennehy (foot) are also ruled out through injury. Midfielder Colin Healy (knee) remains sidelined, but Gearóid Morrissey comes back into contention following an ankle injury. Danny Morrissey (hamstring) has a 50/50 chance of being available, Dan Murray and Danny Murphy return having missed the Shelbourne game through injury and suspension respectively, but Shane Duggan will miss out through suspension. A win will see Dundalk leap ahead of Derry City and Sligo Rovers into second place and they won the previous fixture between the sides back in April but haven’t won at Turner’s Cross since June 2009. Dundalk will be without the suspended Richie Towell and Andy Boyle and long-term injury victim Keith Ward Dane Massey is struggling with a knee injury while John Mountney (ankle) is out and Chris Shields (hip) is doubtful.
First Division
Wexford Youths v Waterford United, Ferrycarrig Park, 8pm
Wexford Youths have held the Indian sign over Waterford this season winning both of the encounters between the sides and the Blues have also lost twice in their three most recent trips to Slaneyside. Waterford full back Michael Coady (knee) remains out and striker Vinny Sullivan (quad) is doubtful while Craig Hyland and Peter White both return suspensions and defender Dylan Mernagh is back from the World Student Games. Wexford report no problems.
Mervue United v Finn Harps, Fahy's Field, 7.45pm
Finn Harps will look to put an end to their six game winless streak in the league when they travel to Mervue, the team that they last recorded a league victory against, Since that 1-0 win at Finn Park in mid-May Harps have picked up just two points. Manager Peter Hutton has added Pat McCann, Lee Toland and Shane McGinty to his squad while Marc Brolly, Thomas McBride, Matthew Crossan and goalkeeper Rory Kelly have all departed. Hutton will have Keith Cowan available after suspension but Damien McNulty and Thomas McMonagle remain sidelined. Mervue Utd welcome Finn Harps to Galway for the second time this season in the Airtricity First Division on Friday evening at Fahy’s Field with kick-off at 7.45 p.m. For Mervue Paul Sinnott (foot) remains doubtful while captain Tom King and Barry O’Mahoney are both unavailable after the World University Games but defender Stephen Walsh returns from a three game suspension.
Athlone Town v Salthill Devon, Athlone Town Stadium, 7.45pm
Athlone Town now on a run of five games unbeaten that includes four consecutive clean sheets and can keep the pressure on leaders Longford Town with a win. A fifth successive clean sheet would be a new club record since Athlone entered the League in 1969. The previous meetings this season have resulted in a win and a draw for Athlone who have new signing Seam Byrne suspended while Robbie Clarke is absent due to family commitments and Neil Harney (knee) is doubtful but captain Aidan Collins returns after a knee injury. Salthill report no problems.
