Cork City v Shamrock Rovers Turner's Cross, 1.30

(Second leg; first leg score 1-1)

Manager Mick Byrne will expect a huge improvement if Shamrock Rovers are to snatch the first trophy of the season from Cork City at a packed Turner's Cross this afternoon.

Byrne was livid with his players after their insipid showing in Sunday's controversial 1-1 draw with Bohemians.

"I wasn't happy with our performance at all. People were down gears," said Byrne. He is still without the suspended Paul Whelan so Matt Britton retains the captain's armband. Mark O'Neill, despite struggling with a knee problem, Tommy Dunne and Billy Woods are all in contention to come back into the side as Byrne says he may make changes.

Cork are expecting another bumper crowd of around 6,000 says manager Dave Barry.

Colin O'Brien, who enjoyed his first full game of the season against Waterford, having completed his recovery from a cruciate knee ligament injury, will continue on the right side of midfield.

Patsy Freyne is out through suspension while Brian Barry-Murphy has flu and Fergus O'Donoghue is carrying a knee injury and won't feature for a week or two, leaving Cork unchanged from the team that beat Waterford 2-0.

The Turner's Cross pitch was passed playable yesterday afternoon by local inspector, Pat Kelly. Heavy overnight rain was not expected, but, if necessary, the pitch will be inspected again at 8.00 a.m.

First Division

Promotion chasing Drogheda United and Cobh Ramblers, currently first and second respectively in the division, have both been hit by suspensions.

James Impey, Drogheda's key central-defender, is out for two games as a result of his recent sending-off against Home Farm/Everton. Cobh will be without defender Pat Maher, and midfielder Anthony Kenneally, following their sendings-off against St Francis.