St Patrick's aiming for hat-trick

National League: St Patrick's Athletic head for Cork this evening looking to complete what would be an impressive hat-trick after last week's league defeat of  champions Bohemians and Monday's victory in the League Cup final by beating Cork City to go top of the Eircom League Premier division table.

"It was a good weekend for us all right," says manager Eamonn Collins, "and it would be to follow it up with another win down there but we're taking it one step at a time because Turner's Cross is always a tough place to go and City have been going well themselves."

The Dubliners have doubts over Barry Prenderville (ankle) and Davy Byrne (foot) while Paul Osam has a slight question mark hanging over him because of his on-going knee problem.

City, though, could be said to be slightly worse off ahead of a game which could result in either side leap-frogging Shelbourne at the top of the table, with Conor O'Grady ruled out for a month due to a training mishap in which he broke a bone in his foot and George O'Callaghan missing through suspension. O'Callaghan's loss is a blow with the striker having become an influential figure, not least because of his ability from set-pieces.

Back in Dublin, Bohemians have Colin Hawkins back as they prepare for the visit of UCD and Stephen Kenny must decide what, if any, changes to make after a defeat by St Patrick's.

Hawkins is certainly likely to reclaim his place in the starting line-up but Paul McNally, who is also available again, may have to wait a little longer. Paul Keegan is ruled out by a foot injury while Glen Crowe will have a late test on a hamstring problem.

If the striker doesn't make it Stephen Ward, the Irish under-19 international signed on a two-year contract from Portmarnock, may get a start. UCD, meanwhile, have striker Alan Gallen out due to a knee injury.

At Richmond Park Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United will be trying to avoid getting left behind towards the foot of the table. The Dubliners have not won in five league outings since the last of their European games but Liam Buckley insists a victory is well overdue.

Buckley has conceded defeat in his attempt to sign Drogheda midfielder Darren Beesley, after Harry McCue made it clear he wants the player to stay. The Rovers manager is hopeful of signing at least one player before the deadline while he expects the future of Richie Byrne, who remains a target for Dunfermline, to be decided ahead of this evening's game.

McCue, meanwhile, travels without Che Bunce, who is out for the season with shin splints, while Danny O'Connor is reported to be doubtful.