Shelbourne need a good month to challenge Derry

SOME managers, like Brian Kerr the former St Patrick's manager, place great store by performances over a third of the season. Some don't pay much heed. Either way, with the second third of the campaign just completed (save for two rearranged games) and the final third about to begin next week, it seems like an opportune time to assess the Premier Division.

Certainly, there was a significant shift after the first changeover in fixtures. Bohemians' commanding lead at the top of table in the first third was eroded by Derry City and Shelbourne in the middle third.

There may be sound underlying reasons for this. Hence, a reversion to the original third of the programme may well bring about further dramatic shifts in teams' performances.

DERRY CITY: They arrested their slide towards the end of the first third and could yet take their tally from the middle section to 27 points from 11 games by beating UCD at home tonight. Indeed, with Finn Harps, Home Farm, Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers to come, the next month could offer them a chance to pull further clear. They may need to, for the run in thereafter includes trips to Bohemians, UCD and Shelbourne, with St Patrick's Athletic at home. Declan Boyle is a good signing for a squad that has been able to rely almost totally on 13 players so far.

SHELBOURNE: Came good in the second third when the peerless pairing of Pat Morley and Stephen Geoghegan yielded huge dividends. If goalscorers are to win the league, then Shelbourne have the best. They'll hardly repeat the low haul of the first third and seven of their remaining 12 games are at Tolka. A cloud hangs over the availability of main provider Pascal Vaudequin, but if they can stick with Derry over the next month you'd fancy them.

ST PATRICK'S ATHLETIC: The champions had a reasonable middle third but they're still paying for that two points out of 12 at the start. Will surely improve on that this time around and have maintained, indeed strengthened, their defensive resilience under Pat Dolan, but eight home draws have dogged them. Still, not an awful lot wrong with them and may at least push into the European reckoning.

CORK: Like St Patrick's, a solid middle third atoned for an understandably difficult start when they lost the first four. Likewise, will surely improve on that this time but, again, six home games may not prove such an advantage given their inability to break down defences. Overdue goals for Damien O'Connell and John Caulfield in the Cup may help improve things, but the Cup still looks their best chance of glory.

BOHEMIANS: Distinctly uninspiring, especially at Dalymount in the middle third when their form deteriorated sharply. However, the return of their best player Maurice O'Driscoll - who was there for the first four wins - will help assuage injuries to James Coll and Robbie Best. A weekend Cup goal may revitalise Derek Swan, Tommy Gaynor will chip in too, and a repeat of the first third (only one trip outside Dublin) means they cannot be discounted.

DUNDALK: A modest improvement over the middle third, although they are still precariously placed. They have some good players and perform well occasionally, if inconsistently. Good support on Sunday in the Cup was, alas, the exception rather than the rule and problems off field may be compounded by an ill suiting relegation dogfight with no Cup relief.

FINN HARPS: The feel good factor has worn off, and a premature Cup exit won't have helped. Will rouse themselves against the big boys - especially neighbours Derry - and should still survive, but the Mulligan-Speak axis hasn't clicked yet, fuelling suspicions that it doesn't suit Harps.

SLIGO ROVERS: An injury to Ian Gilzean and the departure of Steve Cotterill and James Mulligan saw the goals dry up. Jimmy Mullen, who seems to be here for the long haul, will need time. Cup exit leaves them with little tangible to play for, but they've spirit aplenty.

SHAMROCK ROVERS: Last week was a depressing one for Rovers, one draw in three games leaving them precariously placed and out of the Cup. They problems little pace without Gino Brazil at the back, and problems on the flanks, where Lee Williams' departure has left them devoid of true pace and width. For all their hard work, the Francis Cousins partnership will never be the most bountiful. Of five home games, one is against their landlords.

UCD: A nine point differential over the middle third, but after tonight's back game in Derry, the final third offers a repeat of their opening third - only one game outside Dublin. This is pertinent given they've only taken one point outside Dublin. Mick O'Byrne is bound to come good and barring further injuries, they should yet survive comfortably.

BRAY: Have begun to tighten up at the back lately, but to no obvious improvement in terms of results, picking up only one more point in the middle third than in the first. Indeed, the tightening up has come at a cost - four games without a goal.

HOME FARM/EVERTON: Have had Bray's recent problems all season. Liam Kelly's recent return to the reserves offers some salvation and he may be pressed into action sooner than might otherwise be the case But he'll need time and there remains the lack of resources.