This weekend’s action in the SSE Airtricity League Premier and First Divisions is spread over two days with six games on Friday and four on Saturday.
The Premier Division race turns for home this weekend as the third and final round commence while in the First Division only one point separates Finn Harps and Wexford Youths ahead of their top of the table clash at Finn Park on Friday.
There are three top flight games on Friday night with the big game taking place at Tallaght Stadium between Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick’s Athletic in a Dublin derby. With both teams level on 43 points, any advantage gained could be crucial in the battle for European spots at the end of the season.
Champions and league leaders Dundalk are at home to Longford Town, who have only picked up four points from their last seven games, while Galway United, who booked their place in the EA Sports Cup Final last Monday, are at home to Derry City who ended a 12 game winless run last week with their victory over Longford Town. Manager Peter Hutton will be hoping they can now record back to back league wins for the first time this season.
The three remaining Premier Division games take place on Saturday night with Micky Adams taking charge of Sligo Rovers for the first time as second place Cork City visit The Showgrounds while Limerick, buoyed by their first win of the season last week, will look to build on that at home to Bohemians. Saturday’s final game is a mid-table clash between Bray Wanderers and Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds.
The meeting of Finn Harps and Wexford Youths is undoubtedly the tie of the weekend in the First Division while Friday also sees UCD taking on basement side Waterford United and Athlone Town facing Cabinteely. On Saturday, Cobh Ramblers are at home to Shelbourne who have lost only once in 11 games.
FRIDAY, AUGUST 7
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Dundalk v Longford Town, Oriel Park, 7:45pm
Galway United v Derry City, Eamonn Deacy Park, 7:45pm
Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
SSE Airtricity League First Division
Athlone Town v Cabinteely, Athlone Town Stadium, 7:45pm
UCD v Waterford United, The UCD Bowl, 7:45pm
Wexford Youths v Finn Harps, Ferrycarrig Park, 8pm
SATURDAY, AUGUST 8
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Bray Wanderers v Drogheda United, Carlisle Grounds, 5:45pm
Limerick v Bohemians, Markets Field, 6:30pm
Sligo Rovers v Cork City, The Showgrounds, 7:45pm
SSE Airtricity League First Division
Cobh Ramblers v Shelbourne, St. Colman's Park, 7:45pm
