National League Previews

SATURDAY

DERRY CITY v SHELBOURNE, The Brandywell, 7.30

With their place in the top flight secure and key players like Liam Coyle, Gary Beckett and Paul Hegarty still likely to be missing, it's hard to see how City could pose too much of a problem to the league leaders this evening. However, the Dubliners have failed to beat them in two league meetings this season and made heavy going of it at the second attempt in the FAI Cup.

With the exception of Declan Geoghegan, who has a thigh strain, the defending champions are at full strength. Avery John is available after returning from international duty. Despite last week's disappointing performance in Galway, there are unlikely to be any radical changes with Mark Hutchison coming in for Geoghegan. "They're experienced lads who've been through it all before," says assistant manager Alan Matthews, "so they know that it's all still in their hands and that it's important to just take these last few games one at a time."

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

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

Leading scorers: Derry City: Doherty (six); Shelbourne: Foran (10).

Betting: Home: 11/4; Draw: 9/4; Away: 5/6.

Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).

SUNDAY

CORK CITY v GALWAY UNITED, Turner's Cross, 3.15

The home side's record over Galway in the past couple of seasons has been been fairly remarkable with Don O'Riordan's side failing to get a point.

"I don't know what it is about them," says O'Riordan "but I'm hoping we can do something about it this weekend because they're probably the only team in the entire league we haven't gotten anything out of during my time here."

Galway United will have Scott Morgan back in the squad after the defender recovered from a groin strain but he is still short of match fitness. A possible starter is 17-year-old striker Neil Keane who could partner Barry Moran up front.

Cork City, meanwhile, will have to wait on James Mulligan who aggravated a hamstring injury in Thursday night's Munster Senior Cup defeat of Blarney. The striker is thought to be "very doubtful" by manager Liam Murphy. Everybody else, though, is fit ahead of a game which City need to win in order to stay in the hunt for European football.

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

Recent league form: Cork City: W W W D W; Galway United: D D L W D.

Leading scorers: Cork City: Morley (eight); Galway United: Lavine (10).

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

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

LONGFORD TOWN v BRAY WANDERERS, Flancare Park, 7.30

Unlike the FAI Cup finalists, Bray have everything to play for in their last couple of games. Pat Devlin admits nothing less than six points is likely to be enough to earn his side a pace in Europe.

What had looked to be a very strong position has been badly dented over the past couple of weeks by disappointing results against Bohemians and, particularly, Finn Harps last week.

Anxious to see an immediate improvement on that 4-1 defeat, Devlin says there is likely to be a number of changes with Dave Williamson a possible starter after his return from the flu. Wes Charles, meanwhile, is suspended.

After Thursday's cup win, Stephen Kenny is also likely to rest a few players. Alan Murphy, Keith O'Connor and Stephen O'Brien have been carrying knocks recently. The former two may drop out of the team tomorrow with Sean Riordan, Robbie Farrell, Robbie Coyle and Enda Kenny all in the running for a start.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000: Wanderers 1 Longford 0, Longofrd 2 Wanderers 2, Wanderers 1 Longford 1, Longford 2 Wanderers 4; 00/01: Longford 0 Wanderers 1, Wanderers 3 Wanderers 1.

Recent league form: Longford: W W L L W; Wanderers: W W W L L.

Leading scorers: Longford: Kelly and O'Connor (two each); Wanderers: Treesson (11).

Betting: Home: 11/8; Draw: 11/5; Away: 13/8.

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

UCD v SHAMROCK ROVERS, Belfield, 3.15

Just when it doesn't matter too much anymore, Rovers have a full squad available for tomorrow's trip to Belfield which won't exactly be music to the ears of Martin Moran.

UCD are again short of players due to

long-term injuries while Ciaran Martyn is ruled out by suspension and so Ciaran Kavanagh comes back into central midfield. Otherwise it will be much the same side that has struggled to find any sort of form this week.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000: UCD 3 Rovers 0, Rovers 0 UCD 0, UCD 1 Rovers 1; 2000/01: UCD 2 Rovers 2, Rovers 1 UCD 1.

Recent league form: UCD: D L L D D; Rovers: D L D D L.

Leading scorers: UCD: McDonnell (five); Rovers: Francis (13).

Betting: Home: 11/8; Draw: 11/5; Away: 13/8.

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).