Previews

Saturday

Finn Harps v Kilkenny City - Finn Park, 7.15

Neil Fitzhenry is back for the hosts after missing the visit to UCD through suspension but Paddy McGrenaghan is suspended leaving Jonathon Speak with a gap to fill.

Niall Bonner is the manager's preferred replacement but he has been struggling with an ankle injury. If he misses out then Trevor Scanlon may come in at left back with Ray Kenny switching sides and Jonathon Minnock pushing on into midfield.

City, meanwhile, are in a transition period with a string of players injured, a couple having departed and a few more preparing to leave. Damien Brennan is suspended, Matt Nelson will play his last game before returning to the US and Carlos Rocha has left the club. Gordon Johnson, Warren Parkes and Ray Carolan are among those expected to miss out through injury as could Robbie Brunton.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/ 01: Harps 1 City 1, City 0 Harps 1.

Recent league form: Harps: D D W D D; City: L L L L L.

Leading scorers: Harps: McHugh and Bradley (four apiece); City: McGrath (two).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Sunday

Cork City v Derry City - Turner's Cross, 12.0

Cork City will have to cope without young central defender Damien O'Rourke, who is away with the Irish Technical Colleges team in the US. Declan Daly or Stephen Napier, both of whom have been out injured, will come in alongside Derek Coughlan. Anthony Buckley has an ankle injury but should be okay to start again while Mark Herrick returns to the squad.

Derry's Gary Beckett is back in light training after a groin operation but will not play again this season while Peter Hutton has the flu and Paul Hegarty a calf strain. Hegarty is the more likely to miss out in which case Hutton would return to midfield.

Northern Ireland under-21 international Darren Kelly, meanwhile, has been attracting interest from Norwegian first division side Haguesund who have watched him several times and this could be the defender's last game for the club.

Last two seasons: 1999/00: Derry 1 Cork 0, Cork 0 Derry 0, Derry 1 Cork 4; 00/01: Cork 0 Derry 2, Derry 1 Cork 1.

Recent league form: Cork: LDWWW; Derry: LDWLL.

Leading scorers: Cork: Morley (six); Derry: Doherty (six).

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).