National League Previews

St Patrick's Ath v Shamrock Rovers

Having gotten themselves into pole position in the championship it's now up to the defending champions to make the running which means beating their old rivals Shamrock Rovers in this evening's derby clash at Richmond Park. They'll have Trevor Moloy back for the game but after missing out on last week's trip to Cork due to suspension manager Liam Buckley insists that the young striker is not guaranteed a return to the starting line-up and a decision on who will partner Ian Gilzean will only be made this afternoon.

Stephen McGuinness is the home side's main doubt for the game with the central defender facing a late fitness test on an ankle problem. Keith Long, Mick Moody and Paul Campbell are all in a position to come in.

Rovers, meanwhile, will be without Brian Morrisroe who had only just returned from a long lay off when he injured his ankle last weekend against Sligo. Richie Purdy is less than 100 per cent fit but should play which means that either Marc Kenny or Derek Tracey will return in midfield.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Rovers 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 2 Rovers 0, Rovers 0 St Patrick's 1; 98/99: Rovers 2 St Patrick's 1.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: DDWWW; Rovers: DDWWD.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Gilzean (12), Molloy (10); Rovers: Kenny (seven), Cousins and Sherlock (six).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 7/2. Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Waterford United v Bohemians

Yesterday former Cork City striker Dominic Iorfa became the latest player to join Waterford and Mike Flanagan isn't ruling out more signings by the weekend.

Iorfa goes straight into a panel that is still without Robbie Griffin (concussion) and Alan Reynolds (knee ligaments) and Flanagan will be hoping that the latest version of the team will be capable of halting the club's steady slide of the last couple of months.

Bohemians, meanwhile, continue to go from strength to strength with last week's defeat of Shelbourne lifting spirits around the club. A few weeks ago they won 4-0 down at the Regional Sports Centre to progress in the cup and Roddy Collins would doubtless like to see his players repeat the trick this evening.

He'll have Maurice O'Dricoll back in the squad for the trip south while David Fairclough, who headed to Tranmere at the start of the season is also back at Dalymount. Graham O'Hanlon misses out due to suspension.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Bohemians 0 Waterford 1.

Recent league form: Waterford: Bohemians: Leading scorers: Waterford: LDLLL; Bohemians: DWDWW.

Betting: Home: 9/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 11/10. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

First Division

The cup defeat by Dundalk may have been a bit of a setback for Dave Connell's side in the end but Limerick have been going nicely enough in the league now for a couple of months and this evening's clash with Cobh will offer an idea of how strong their challenge for promotion is going. Johnny Whyte will be missing from the Limerick side for the game and he will be replaced, as he was in last week's draw with Athlone, by on loan defender Eric Smith, while the suspended Tommy Lynch will be covered for by either Sean Byrne or Gareth Ryan.

Cobh, though, could have even more serious problems with their highly prolific striking partnership of Tony Izzi and Sean Francis both having picked up knocks in last weekend's defeat of Longford.

In the night's other game, Home Farm Everton must travel to St Francis with Tom McGauley who is suspended. Team captain Stuart Byrne is available again.