FAI National League Previews

Saturday

Bray Wanderers v Shelbourne (7.45)

IT'S been quite a week for the Opel/Irish Soccer Writers' Player of the Month for February, Richie Baker, with fine performances for club and country in Derry and Belfast respectively enough to clinch his place in the squad for next month's Under-20 World Cup in Nigeria.

The call-up means that Baker will be turning in one of his last appearances for Shelbourne this season at the Carlisle Grounds this evening when he and brother Dessie will be looking to maintain their strong run of recent form out on the wings.

Bray, though, have been very difficult to beat recently (just one defeat in 11 league and cup outings) and even if they are a little jaded after the two battles with Sligo Rovers they are likely to be difficult to overcome again.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Bray 1 Shelbourne 0, Shelbourne 1 Bray 0.

Recent league form: Bray: DDLDD, Shelbourne: LDWWW.

Leading scorers: Bray: Byrne 5; Shelbourne: Sheridan 10.

Betting: Home: 7/4, draw: 9/4, away: 5/4.

Finn Harps v UCD (7.30)

LIKE Shelbourne, Harps need to remain focussed on the league if they are to keep their European options open over the remainder of the season. For this game Charlie McGeever has close to a full squad to choose from, apart from Tom Mohan (highly doubtful with a hamstring problem) and John Gerard McGettigan (out with flu), and he will doubtless be hoping for a dramatic improvement on what he says was a fairly dreadful showing at Belfield. The return to scoring form of Jonathan Speak and James Mulligan has certainly been a boost for the home side while the continuing strength of the defence should mean a tough night's work for UCD's forward line.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Harps 1 UCD 0, UCD 0 Harps 0, Harps 1 UCD 2; 98/99: Harps 0 UCD 0, UCD 3 Harps 0.

Recent league form: Harps: DDWWL; UCD: LDWLD.

Leading scorers: Harps: Mulligan and Speak 8 each; UCD: O'Byrne 6.

Betting: Home: 4/5, draw: 9/4, away: 3/1.

Sligo Rovers v Waterford (7.30)

DEFEAT would be a bad setback for either of these sides but especially for Sligo who have a string of important games coming up. As ever Nicky Reid has injury worries with a broken ankle keeping him out and Steve Birks laid up again with ankle ligament damage. On the brighter side, though, Neil Ogden is back from suspension and he will go back into the centre of midfield along side Conor O'Grady.

Mike Flanagan, meanwhile, who brought the whole of his Waterford squad to the cup match in Bray the other night, has just about everybody available again after a long run of injuries.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Rovers 1 United 1, United 1 Rovers.

Recent league form: Rovers: DDLWD; United: DDLLD.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Hallows 7; United: Dully, Gannon and Wood 2 each.

Betting: Home: 4/5, draw: 9/4, away: 3/1.

Sunday

Cork City v Dundalk (2.0)

THE financial crisis reared its head at Oriel Park again last weekend when English centre-half David Capper, a highly respectable performer since his arrival at the club back in November, was released. The departure leaves Jim McLaughlin short of cover again.

Yet, Dundalk are actually a little better off this week with Noel Melvin and Shane Reddish both returning to the panel after suspension. Brian Byrne and David Hoey are still out injured while Raymond Campbell, who has a groin strain, is felt to be doubtful.

Cork manager Dave Barry must wait to see if Declan Daly will recover from a slight tear in his hamstring in time to play.

Pat Morley, though, who had been in such sparkling form before coming down with a lung infection, started training on Wednesday and he is likely to return up front.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Cork 3 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 1 Cork 0, Cork 0 Dundalk 0; 98/99: Cork 4 Dundalk 1, Dundalk 1 Cork 1.

Recent league form: Cork: LDWLW; Dundalk: WDWLD.

Leading scorers: Cork: Flanagan 7; Dundalk: Ward 4. Betting: Home: 4/7, draw: 5/2, away: 9/2.

Shamrock Rovers v Derry (3.15)

PAUL CURRAN should be back for Derry next week but Kevin Mahon insists that he is not about to rush things so the central defender will sit this one out along with Gary Beckett who pulled his hamstring in the defeat by Shelbourne.

Liam Coyle is also a doubt with the striker, outstanding in the cup game, suffering first a stiff neck and then a bout of 'flu since the weekend.

If Mahon thinks he has problems, though, he might reconsider after hearing the news from the Rovers camp. Mick Byrne is without four players - Marc Kenny, Paul Whelan, Matt Britton and Tommy Dunne - due to suspension while Mark O'Neill and Richie Purdy have knee and hamstring problems respectively.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Rovers 1 Derry 0, Derry 0 Rovers 1, Rovers 3 Derry 1; 98/99: Rovers 0 Derry 0, Derry 1 Rovers 1.

Recent league form: Rovers: LDLLD; Derry: WDDWD.

Leading scorers: Rovers Kenny 7; Derry: Coyle 8.

Betting: Home: 6/4, draw: 2/1, Away: 13/8.

First Division

While Drogheda travel to Whitehall this evening without Martin Beggs, Greg O'Dowd or Darren O'Keeffe, all of whom are suspended, Cobh must attempt to get their campaign back on track against St Francis without either Willie Byrne (groin) or Liam O'Connor (ankle).

Home Farm/Everton meanwhile, will have Thomas McGauley back from suspension just as Robbie Farrell starts one.