National League Previews

Saturday

Finn Harps v Dundalk (7.30)

"Physically they're all okay," says Harps manager after seeing his side self-destruct at Tolka Park last weekend "so now it's just a case of making sure that their brains are in gear."

The extent of Friday's mishap against Shelbourne means that some changes are almost inevitable with McGeever admitting to being deeply frustrated that what might have been a three point gap between his team and Damien Richardson's is instead three times as wide.

"Realistically we have shown that we can compete with the top teams but we have come away from our two matches against the two leaders with no points when we might have had four and that means that we are doing something wrong."

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Harps 5 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 1 Harps 1, Harps 0 Dundalk 0; 97/98: Dundalk 2 Harps 0.

Recent league form: Harps: WWLWL; Dundalk: WWWLD.

Leading scorers: Harps: Speak (eight); Dundalk: Byrne and Melvin (five apiece).

Betting: Home:, Draw:, Away:. Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Sligo Rovers v Drogheda United (7.30)

The home side's situation would be greatly improved if they could repeat the defeat they inflicted on the other relegation favourites, Kilkenny, a couple of weeks ago but despite the 2-0 score-line that was not the most convincing of wins and Drogheda will travel to the west hopeful of doing much better.

Rovers are without a hat trick of suspended players with Steve Birks, Neil Ogden and Ian Lynch all serving suspensions and after Lee Thew came in last week for Ogden, Peter Cubbesson may be the one to return for Birks who starts his ban this weekend.

The visitors, meanwhile, are hoping that striker Joe Gallen will have recovered sufficiently from a bout of flu to start and manager Martin Lawlor is keen to show that they can capitalise on their much improved form of the last few weeks.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/ 98: Drogheda 2 Sligo 4.

Recent league form: Sligo: DLLWD; Drogheda: LLLLD.

Leading scorers: Sligo: Jones, Thew, Rose and Moran (four apiece); Drogheda: N Reid (three).

Betting: Home:, Draw:, Away:. Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Sunday

Cork City v Shelbourne (2.0)

Neither of these, particularly Cork, can afford to lose this one and yet a draw, particularly if Saint Patrick's manage a win at Belfield, would not do either a great deal of good just now.

If the two results went against them Cork would be 10 points off the pace which, given their ongoing strugle with injuries would be a daunting amount of ground to have to make up over the remainder of the campaign.

The problems are certainly still a factor this week with Kelvin Flanagan out of the reckoning as he starts a three match ban but Dave Hil still not fit to return and City's other central midfielders Patsy Freyne and Mark Herrick is varying states of disrepair. John Caulfield still hasn't resumed training after injuring his back a couple of weeks ago.

Shelbourne have problems of their own with Stephen Geoghegan suffering from an ankle injury and Pat Scully having missed the League Cup victory over Dundalk with a sore toe. The defender is the more likely of the two to make it with Dessie Baker set to start up front again if Geoghegan doesn't.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Cork 3 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 Cork 3, Cork 0 Shelbourne 1; 97/98: Shelbourne 3 Cork 1.

Recent league form: Cork: LWDDD; Shelbourne: WWWLW.

Leading scorers: Cork: O'Brien (six), Kabia (five); Shelbourne: S Geoghegan (11), Scully (seven).

Betting: Home:, Draw:, Away:. Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Shamrock Rovers v Kilkenny City (3.0)

Mick Byrne seems intent on shifting away from the five man midfield employed since the start of the season with Brian Morrisroe likely to return for this game on the left side of a 4-4-2 formation.

The switch follows a couple of disappointing performances and it is an attempt to improve Rovers's showing ahead of a game that is very important to the club. "It's the sort of game we have to win," says Byrne "if we want to keep up with the big boys. Last week we were saved by Robert Forde so we have to tighten up at the back and we have to put away more of the chances we're creating, so overall we're looking for improvement in a few different areas."

Recent league form: Rovers: WWWLD; Kilkenny: LLLDL.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Cousins (10); Kilkenny: Hale (three).

Betting: Home:, Draw:, Away:. Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

UCD v St Patrick's Athletic (3.15)

"We have to find the same sort of form that we showed when we drew with them in Inchicore," says Theo Dunne who is the first to admit that, given the sort of form Pat Dolan's side have been in over the past few weeks, that may be easier said than done.

With just one point from 12 the students could certainly do with turning things around but they continue to experience a few injury problems with Jason Sherlock (groin) doubtful and Tony McDonnell (hamstring) definitely out for this one. Still, Dunne is hopeful that Sherlock will be fit in time and reckons that the team that starts will be much the same as the one which kicked off against Drogheda last Friday.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: UCD 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 1 UCD 1, UCD 2 St Patrick's 0; 97/98: St Patrick's 1 UCD 1.

Recent league form: UCD: WLLDL; St Patrick's: DWWWD.

Leading scorers: UCD: Sherlock (four); St Patrick's: Gilzean (six), Molloy (five).

Betting: Home:, Draw:, Away:. Referee: T Traynor (Dublin).