Leaders Dundalk intent on extending their winning run

League leaders Dundalk head to United Park this evening in search of a fifth straight league win and aiming to make amends (if the more recent 7-0 home defeat of their rivals didn’t already do the job) for their 4-1 loss there on the opening night of the season.

Drogheda have shown a significant improvement of late and new manager Damien Richardson will be hoping his side maintains it.

He has Paul Andrews back from suspension but Stephen Maher is a doubt and the visitors are close to full strength with Simon Kelly facing a late test on a calf strain. Long-term absentee Stephen O’Donnell is still out.

Title hopes

Cork City are without Darren Murphy and Michael Rafter for the visit of St Patrick’s Athletic who, could, like their opponents, do with winning in order to keep their title hopes alive.

Sean Hoare and Chris Forrester are suspended while Ken Oman (calf) is a doubt for St Pat’s who would move into second place with a win. Keith Fahey returns to Liam Buckley’s squad from suspension.

UCD boss Aaron Callaghan will be hoping to steady the ship against Bohemians in the Belfield Bowl after the students suffered a couple of recent heavy beatings.

Owen Heary has a full squad to choose from but Callaghan has plenty of problems to contend with again as Conor O’Donnell joins an injury list that already includes Dean Clarke, Tomas Boyle, and Mark Langtry.

Ian Ryan and Samir Belhout are doubts too but Hugh Douglas but Callaghan at least has Colm Crowe available again after his suspension. Fixtures (7.45 unless stated) Premier Division: Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic (Home: 15/8, Draw: 23/10, Away: 13/10); UCD v Bohemians (Home: 9/2, Draw: 31/10, Away: 8/15); Drogheda United v Dundalk (8.0) (Home: 6/1, Draw: 3/1, Away: 4/9); Shamrock Rovers v Derry City (8.0) (Home: 10/11, Draw: 12/5, Away: 11/4) First Division: Waterford United v Shamrock Rovers (7.45) (Home: 4/6, Draw: 13/5, Away: 100/30); Shelbourne v Cobh Ramblers (8.0) (Home: 30/100, Draw: 7/2, Away: 8/1); Wexford Youths v Galway (8.0) (Home: 21/10, Draw: 12/5, Away: 11/10) Betting Courtesy of Paddy Power