National League Previews

Saturday

Finn Harps v Bohemians (7.15)

Last week's win in Galway was a huge help but Gavin Dykes freely admits that Harps are not out of the woods yet and need to pick up something "preferably the three points" if they are going to avoid having their seasons extended by an extra week.

Dykes has at least hit a spell without any injury or suspension problems. Johnny Kenny is expected to be okay in time for this evening's game while at the back everyone is available but Shane Bradley is likely to continue in place of the player manager, who says is quite content to start on the sidelines.

For Bohemians the task is simply to hang on to second place and build-up a bit of momentum ahead of the cup final.

Manager Roddy Collins describes the first-half performance in Cork on Wednesday night as "disgraceful", adding that his players simply didn't compete. But with a place in Europe already in the bag there isn't very much pressure on.

Nevertheless, Collins has his problems with Avery John on international duty, Kevin Hunt suspended while Ray Kelly picked up a shoulder injury in Cork.

If Kelly doesn't make it then Jamie Harris may return to the starting line up.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Bohemians 2 Harps 3, Harps 1 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 0 Harps 1; 99/00: Harps 0 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 1 Harps 0.

Recent league form: Harps: DLWWW; Bohemians: DWLLL.

Leading scorers: Harps: Mulligan (11); Bohemians: Crowe (nine).

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 5/4.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Sunday

Cork City v Drogheda United (2.0)

Having made sure of some sort of European participation with their defeat of Bohemians, City will be looking to make sure that their next manager doesn't meet his players for the first time on the plane to Bulgaria by beating Drogheda and maintaining their grip on third place in the table.

Dave Barry has Colin O'Brien back from suspension but Greg O'Halloran suffered a rib injury in the midweek game and faces a fitness test before any decision is made about his participation tomorrow. If fit then Barry, clearly pleased with the display on Wednesday, will look to keep the same starting line up.

For Eddie May and Drogheda it's about maintaining a bit of pride and the Louthmen couldn't have been handed a tougher task than to go City with four players suspended. Greg O`Dowd, Darren O'Keeffe, Alan Murphy and Gerry Boyle are all out. Mark Byrne and Mickey McCann are amongst those who will come back into the side.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/ 00: City 3 United 0, United 0 City 0.

Recent league form: City: WDDWW; United: LWLDL.

Leading scorers: City: Morley (18); United: Byrne (five).

Betting: Home: 2/7, Draw: 3/1, Away: 8/1.

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

St Patrick's v Shamrock RVS (3.15)

Last season's champions still have some hope of overtaking Cork for third spot while the Inter Toto spot is very much theirs for the taking. However, nailing down a place in either European competition requires a win over Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park tomorrow.

It will have to be achieved without Ger McCarthy (hamstring), Colin Hawkins (knee), Packie Lynch (thigh), Dessie Byrne (international duty) and Shane Harte or Alan McNevin (both ankle) all of which is likely to make it tough going for the home side.

Rovers, though, have hardly been in spectacular form of late and so, with so much at stake this should be a tough battle between two clubs fairly desperate not to miss out on international competition.

Damien Richardson has less problems on the injury front but Tony O'Dowd (groin) is still laid up - meaning another start for Robbie Horgan - while the absence of Sean Francis (calf) means a start for either Tony Cousins or, more likely Brian Byrne.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Rovers 2 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's Rovers 0, Rovers 0 St Patrick's 1; 99/00: St Patrick's 1 Rovers 1, Rovers Rovers 2 St Patrick's 1.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: DLWDW; Rovers: DWDDL.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Hallows (seven); Rovers: Francis and Woods (seven apiece).

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 7/4.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Derry City (3.15)

It will be party time at Tolka tomorrow where the celebrations are expected to go on long after Dick O`Hanlon calls a halt to Shelbourne's last league game of the season.

The newly crowned champs are laying on various forms of entertainment for their supporters by way of a thank you, and the players and coaches will all be staying on in a specially erected marquee well into the evening.

The message from Dermot Keely and his management team, however, is that the fine run of form must continue between now and the cup final in a fortnight's time.

The visit of the only side to beat the Dubliner's in the league this year will present a tough challenge, though, with Kevin Mahon and his players knowing that a draw will end their hopes of playing in Europe.

The hosts will be without Richie Baker and Carel van der Velden, both suspended while Mark Hutchison is available again after injury, but will probably start on the bench following Declan Geoghegan's strong performance last week in Waterford.

For City, Peter Hutton is out after damaging ankle ligaments in Galway while Paul Hegarty remains highly doubtful with a thigh strain

Last two seasons: 1998/99: City 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 2 City 0, City 1 Shelbourne 0; 99/ 00: Shelbourne 2 City 0, City 1 Shelbourne 0.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: WWWDW; City: WWWDL.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan (10); City: Coyle (seven).

Betting: Home: 8/13, Draw: 2/1, Away: 9/2.

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).

Sligo Rovers v Galway United (3.15)

The game is pretty much up for Rovers whose chances of survival are now no more than mathematical. However, far from hatching an escape plan, Tommy Cassidy has spent the last day or two working out just how he intends to put a squad together for the game.

Wesley Charles is on international duty, Padraig Moran, Steve Birks and Sean Flannery all suffering the effects of playing through injuries last week while Tommy Byrne, Ian Rossiter and Jim Sheridan are out until the summer.

That leaves Cassidy frustrated (as ever) but, he says, more fiercely determined to stay on and help to turn the club's fortunes around over the next season or so.

Galway, meanwhile, still have everything to play for and almost everyone to play with. Only Scott Morgan, who this week had his four match suspension reduced to two - thus allowing him to play in the play-offs if United are involved - is out. Don O`Riordan says that there are one or two other minor problems but he expects them to clear up ahead of kickoff time.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/ 00: Rovers 1 United 0, United 5 Rovers 0.

Recent league form: Rovers: DLLLD; United: LLDLW.

Leading scorers: Rovers: (Moran (11); United: Lavine (six).

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 5/4.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

UCD v Waterford United (3.15)

At one stage UCD seemed to be in a strong position to qualify for Europe and Waterford in good enough form to avoid the relegation scramble. both sides eased up a little over the past few weeks and have paid the price.

For UCD - without Alan Mahon (suspended), Aidan Lynch (knee) and John Martin (virus), waiting on Ciaran Kavanagh (ankle) but with Clive Delaney back from suspension - that means missing out on Europe although one more game will give the club its highest ever finish in the top flight.

The stakes for Waterford are higher, though. Mike Flanagan says that he reckoned it would go to the last game since been beaten by Drogheda and, with Alan Reynolds back from suspension, they need to improve on their previous performances against UCD this season if they are not to be under immense pressure this time next week.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: United 1 UCD 0, UCD 1 United 1, United 1 UCD 2; 99/00: UCD 2 United 0, United 0 UCD 2.

Recent league form: UCD: DDLDW; United: DLDDL.

Leading scorers: UCD: Martyn (nine); United: Markey and D McGrath (three apiece).

Betting: Home: 8/15, Draw: 2/1, Away: 11/2.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power