National League Previews

Saturday

Finn Harps v UCD (7.15)

With talk of the need for further cutbacks hanging heavy in the air, Gavin Dykes and his men go into this evening's game knowing that, given how poorly they are performing on the road, they need to start winning games like this if they are to dig themselves out of trouble.

They are nearly close to full strength for the visit of the Students with, aside from the departed Alex Nesovic, only the player manager himself doubtful due a groin strain. Ray Kenny is available again after missing the defeat in midweek at Richmond Park as a result of being cup-tied. The expectation is he will go in as a straight swap for Dykes at the heart of the defence.

The visitors, meanwhile, have quite a few problems of their own, with Aidan Lynch (knee) and Kevin Grogan (hamstring) still out and John Martin joining them on the sidelines due to a groin strain.

Barry Ryan is still suffering slightly with a back problem but should be okay in time to play, leaving Tony McDonnell, who limped out of training on Thursday night after taking a knock on Sunday in the defeat by Longford, as the main doubt for Martin Moran and Theo Dunne.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: UCD 1 Finn Harps 0, Finn Harps 0 UCD 0, UCD 1 Finn Harps 1; 00/01: UCD 3 Finn Harps 2.

Recent league form: Harps: L W L D L; UCD: W W D L L.

Leading scorers: Finn Harps: Nesovic (six); UCD: Grogan and McDonnell (three each).

Betting: Home: 9/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: Evens.

Referee: J Breen (Dublin).

Kilkenny City v Shelbourne (7.30)

The home side's manager says he expects and a bit of a backlash from the champions after their dismal display at the Carlisle Grounds in midweek and by the sound of his opposite number yesterday, he's not the only one.

There will be a number of changes, says Dermot Keely, "because you couldn't allow a performance like the other night to simply go. We were terrible and got what we deserved and the players have to realise that if produce that sort of thing a couple more times they'll manage to play themselves right out of this title race."

With Richie Baker ruled out by an ankle injury picked up in the Bray game there is certainly room for one change but given the level of Keely's dissatisfaction there could well be starts for the likes of Paul Doolan, Declan Geoghegan and Richie Foran this evening.

Joe McGrath, meanwhile, admits that "some people might see us as a lost caused," but maintains that, "while we know it will be hard, we're simply aiming to catch Finn Harps for the moment and then to take it from there."

He hopes to finally give debuts to a couple of his new signings against the champions with Portuguese striker Carlos Rocha and Kiwi defender Gavin Wilkinson both in line for a start but Paul McAreavy - on loan from Swindon - is unavailable while Dave Mulcahy is suspended.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: Shelbourne 1 Kilkenny City 0.

Recent league form: Kilkenny City: L L L L L; Shelbourne: W D D W L.

Leading scorers: Kilkenny City: Mulcahy, Murray, Kabia, Carter and Byrne (one apiece); Shelbourne: Foran (six).

Betting: Home: 5/1, Draw: 12/5, Away: 1/2.

Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Longford Town v Cork City (7.30)

He was still someway off having everybody in his young panel back fit again but Stephen Kenny suffered another blow yesterday when central defender Eric Smith was involved in a minor car accident and was taken to hospital for tests.

If Smith misses out this evening then Kenny is going to have to do some fiddling with his line up and much will depend on whether Alan Murphy, out for six weeks with an ankle problem, is ready to be thrown back into the action. Also doubtful is left back Wesley Byrne who came off during the UCD game with a groin strain but who might be okay in time to play while Robbie Coyle, who initially covered for Byrne but then picked up an ankle injury, is expected to be fine despite not training this week. Colin Notaro leads the queue for a place on the left side if the others don't make it.

City are still without long term injury victims Noel Mooney and Patsy Freyne while Mark Herrick is suspended and Neal Horgan is going to be out for another couple of weeks after having a minor operation on his knee.

Colin O'Brien is back in the reckoning, though, after coming through a couple of training sessions this week without any problems and Derek Mountfield, still on the lookout for new players, remains confident that things are about to click for his team.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: Longford 0 Cork 0.

Recent league form: Longford: L W D W W; Cork: L D W L D.

Leading scorers: Longford: Kelly (four); Cork: Morley (four).

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Sunday

Shamrock Rovers v Bray Wanderers (2.0)

Goals and the lack of a striker who could find the target regularly was a problem not so long ago for Damien Richardson but now he finds himself having to cope with a bit of an embarrassment of riches. Sean Francis, currently the top scorer at the club, is available again after missing last week's defeat of Finn Harps, but whether he gets back in again after Tony Cousins managed to find the net twice in his first start for 13 months is another matter altogether.

Elsewhere Pascal Vaudequin looks likely to retain his right back berth as Dave Smith (calf) and Gino Brazil (thigh) are both ruled out by injury and there are unlikely to be any other changes unless the manager decides to bring back Tony O'Dowd.

If Bray's Pat Devlin, who missed Wednesday's win over Shelbourne because of illness, is fit enough to return to the dugout himself tomorrow he is unlikely to want to meddle too much with a line up that deservedly beat the champions.

Goalkeeper John Walsh and Maurice Farrell are both still injured though case but Jason Byrne could force one change if he fails to recover from an ankle injury picked up during the first half of the midweek game and there is the option of a second with new signing, Wesley Charles, being included in the squad.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: Bray Wanderers 2 Shamrock Rovers 2.

Recent league form: Shamrock Rovers: WWWLW; Bray Wanderers: DDWDW. Leading scorers: Shamrock Rovers: Francis (five); Bray Wanderers: Tresson (six).

Betting: Home: 10/11, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/2.

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).

Bohemians v Derry City (3.15)

Kevin Mahon is once again forced to switch things about in order to cope with injury problems with Gary Beckett, who is expected to undergo surgery on a groin problem, the latest to leave the City boss with a headache.

Having done fairly well up front when he was tried there a couple of weeks ago Sean Hargan is apparently the most likely candidate to partner Liam Coyle in the absence of the regular first choice striker although Stephen Parkhouse is also a possibility. Darren McCaul is still ruled out by an ankle injury.

Bohemians, meanwhile, are still without long-term absentees Mark Dempsey and Dave Morrison although both are expected to be back in training shortly. Dave Hill has been struggling in training this week with bruised ribs but the hope is that he will be fit to play by tomorrow afternoon.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Bohemians 3 Derry City 0, Derry City 0 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 0 Derry City 0; 00/01: Derry City 1 Bohemians 0.

Recent league form: Bohemians: L D W L D; Derry City: D L L D L.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: City: Coyle (three).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/2.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power