National League: Bohemians will be aiming to move to within just two points of league leaders Shelbourne this evening when they take on their major rivals' Tolka Park tenants in what is a key game for both sides.
While Shamrock Rovers continue to have other problems to contend with, the club's manager, Liam Buckley, is hoping his players can maintain the recent run of improved form that has revived their chances of playing European football again next season.
"We're unbeaten in five now and things are beginning to look a bit better for us," said Buckley yesterday. "I know we're into the home straight in terms of the campaign and that Cork City are in the driving seat in terms of the last European spot, but there's still a lot of points to be played for and they don't hand out the prizes until the very last games are out of the way."
Last week's win over Shelbourne has helped to boost confidence in the Rovers camp and Buckley feels that if the players continue to perform at the same level then they will be in with every chance of taking all three points from this evening's visitors too.
He is helped by the return of Glen Fitzpatrick, who missed the Drogheda game with a slight calf strain, but Stephen McGuinness misses the visit of Stephen Kenny's side due to suspension.
Kenny, meanwhile, is expected to stick with much the same side that beat St Patrick's Athletic in a frantic and fiercely contested game in Inchicore last weekend. Since then the defending champions have maintained their challenge to Shelbourne with a win over UCD, and this game represents the start of a crucial week for the Dalymount outfit with matches against Derry and Cork approaching in quick succession.
"We have no injury worries out of the UCD game which is a bit of a surprise really because they fought hard for it," said Kenny.
Mark Rutherford is still out, while Jason McGuinness is very doubtful with an ankle problem. The visitors are also waiting on Fergal Harkin, who suffered a bout of double vision during training earlier this week.
Cork City are again without Conor O'Grady and John O'Flynn as they take on bottom-placed side UCD at Turner's Cross this evening. Liam Kearney is also struggling with an ankle problem but is expected to pass a fitness test, which would allow Pat Dolan to stick with the starting line-up from Monday night's win at St Patrick's Athletic.
The Dubliners have more to contend with, however, with manager Pete Mahon certain to be missing Alan Cawley, who is suspended, and waiting on the fitness of another five players.
Robbie Griffin and John Martin picked up knocks in Tuesday's game with Bohemians, while Pat Sullivan, Robert McAuley and goalkeeper Pat Jennings are suffering with heavy colds.
If UCD lose then Drogheda United will be hoping that they can put a little bit of distance between themselves and the students, although the club's recent form gives little cause for optimism.
United have scored just one goal in their last seven league games and the team is still looking to deliver a first win of any kind since Paul Doolin took over. The club's last victory was, in fact, over Waterford when Pat Scully and Aidan Lynch were in charge, which may provide some encouragement, but Jimmy McGeough will see that 3-0 defeat as something to be avenged as he seeks to steer his side to a top-four finish.
The Waterford boss will hope to have skipper John Frost back from a hamstring problem, but Willie Byrne is still out with a groin strain while the visitors must cope without Brian Kelly, whose broken ribs may keep him out for the rest of the season. But Declan O'Brien should start again after coming through 70 minutes of the Rovers game without any apparent problems.
Today'sFixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
NATIONAL LEAGUE - Premier Division: Cork v UCD (7.30) Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians (7.0); Waterford Utd v Drogheda Utd (7.30). First Division: Athlone Town v Bray Wanderers; Finn Harps v Galway Utd (8.0).
ENGLISH LEAGUE - Division One: Sheffield Utd v Reading.
IRISH LEAGUE - Premier Division: Newry v Larne.
