National League Previews

Saturday

Kilkenny City v Bohemians, Buckley Park, 7.30

Derek McGrath and Paul McAreavy (both flu) look to be the main doubts for the home side as they try to build on their recent cup win and at least salvage some pride from their dismal league position.

However, Graham O'Hanlon should be back after recovering from the same illness, so Joe McGrath's side will be close to full strength for the visit of his former club.

Bohemians will be missing Kevin Hunt and Shaun Maher who are suspended while Darren O'Keeffe is injured. In Maher's absence Stephen Caffrey will probably drop back into defence but that still leaves a gap in central midfield where Dave Morrison could end up if, as expected, Mark Rutherford makes his debut. Tony Hopper has left the club and returned to England.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 2000/01: Bohemians 2 City 1.

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

Leading scorers: Kilkenny City: Byrne, Mulcahy, Murray, Kabia, Carter, Parkes, McGrath, Rocha and McAreavy (one each); Bohemians: Crowe (13).

Betting: Home: 9/2, Draw: 12/5, Away: 8/15.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Longford Town v Finn Harps, Strokestown Road, 7.30

The cup win in Cork will have boosted Longford's morale but Stephen Kenny needs his players to recover their league form. He's helped by the return of Keith O'Connor who is back from injury and fighting for a place up front with Shay Zellor and Niall Byrne. Sean Prunty should be fit to play despite coming off injured in Turner's Cross and Kenny may well opt to go with the team that started that game.

Jonathan Speak has a full squad to choose from with Shane Bradley and Neil Fitzhenry back from suspension and Johnny Kenny recovered from flu.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 2000/01: Finn Harps 2 Longford 2.

Recent league form: Longford: D L L L L; Finn Harps: L D D L L.

Leading scorers: Longford: Kelly (five); Finn Harps: J Kenny (three).

Betting: Home: 4/9, Draw: 13/5, Away: 11/2.

Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).

Sunday

Cork City v Shelbourne, Turner's Cross, 2.0 (RTE 1)

Declan Daly is again ruled out for the home side with a stomach problem this time depriving City of their most experienced defender. with Fergie O'Donoghue and Patsy Freyne both out too that should see Derek Mountfield sticking with last week's starting line up.

The City boss, however, insists that he still has a bit of thinking to do before settling on his 11 for a game which he describes as "massive".

"To be honest, though," he says, "it's great to have a side coming that we have to raise our game for because we need to put the Longford match behind and get on with taking maximum points from the three home matches we have over the next week".

If Shelbourne keep going the way they have been for the past couple of months then another league title is assured.

Dermot Keely has virtually a full squad available for the trip south although Stephen Geoghegan will be out for at least a few weeks after picking up a bad knock in training. With Richie Foran available to come in, however, the disruption is likely to be minimum.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Shelbourne 3 Cork City 2, Cork City 1 Shelbourne 2, Shelbourne 4 Cork City 0; 2000/01: Shelbourne 2 Cork City 0.

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

Leading scorers: Cork City: Morley (six); Shelbourne: Foran (seven), R Baker (seven).

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/4.

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).

UCD v Galway United, Belfield, 3.15

The seven points earned by Don O'Riordan's side against UCD last year went a long way towards keeping them clear of relegation, but Martin Moran will be hoping that his side can reverse the trend especially after their flattering 4-1 win in Terryland Park.

Aside from long-term injuries Moran has a full squad to choose from and will probably go with the same side that did well in the first half against Shamrock Rovers last week.

United will be without Stephen Grant who has suffered a succession of concussions in recent games and may have to be rested for a few weeks. Sean Malee (ankle) and Scott Morgan (groin), meanwhile, are both "touch and go".

Last two seasons: 1999/00: UCD 0 Galway United 2, Galway United 2 UCD 1, UCD 1 Galway United 1; 00/01: Galway United 1 UCD 4.

Recent league form: UCD: D D L D D; Galway United: D W W L L.

Leading scorers: UCD: McDonnell and Grogan (four each); Galway United: Levine (nine).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 100/30.

Referee: A Kelly (Cork).

Derry City v Shamrock Rovers, Brandywell, 3.0

Kevin Mahon is still struggling to cope with long-term injuries to his two most experienced strikers, Liam Coyle and Gary Beckett. The former is due to see a specialist this week while the latter, who is also suffering with a groin strain, continues to start games with little chance of finishing them.

Elsewhere Paddy McLaughlin is still out with a knee injury picked up in the cup match a couple of weeks ago.

Rovers will be without Marc Kenny, Derek Tracey and Tony Cousins again but there is better news in the return to fitness of Jason Colwell and Pat Dean.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Derry City 1 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 3 Derry City 0, Derry City 0 Shamrock Rovers 0; 2000/01: Shamrock Rovers 2 Derry City 0.

Recent league form: Derry City: L D D W L; Shamrock Rovers: D D W L D.

Leading scorers: Derry City: Doherty (four); Shamrock Rovers: Francis (five).

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

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).