LEAGUE OF IRELAND:AS THEY travel to Dalymount for today's big Dublin derby, Shamrock Rovers striker Gary Twigg is fully aware of the added satisfaction that would come from taking the title away from their arch-rivals Bohemians this year.
Their defeat, a fourth of the season, at St Patrick’s last week has mounted the pressure on Pat Fenlon’s champions, but they too will need no added motivation to bounce back against Rovers.
“They are the champions and the favourites to win it,” said Twigg, who’s scored five times in the last eight league games. “We’ll be wanting to be the team that takes the title away from them.”
Rovers defender Pat Sullivan’s season is over as he needs surgery on the cruciate ligament in a knee. Otherwise manager Michael O’Neill has a full squad available.
Fenlon will look for a big response after expressing his unhappiness at the lack of hunger his side showed at Richmond Park.
Striker Raffaele Cretaro is out having had a shin operation, but would have missed out through suspension. Winger Gareth McGlynn remains suspended. Defender Ken Oman is expected to be fit, but midfielder Anto Murphy and striker Aaron Greene are doubtful with injuries.
Leaders Dundalk travel to UCD with defender Wayne Hatswell and midfielder Tom Miller available, though defender Michael Synnott is awaiting surgery on a knee.
College have defender Andy Boyle away with the Ireland under-19s in Ukraine, otherwise manager Marin Russell has a full squad available.
Should Dundalk slip up, St Patrick’s will hope to take advantage at managerless Drogheda United to go top of the table. Manager Pete Mahon is without Damian Lynch and Brian Cash while Coughlan will do well to play again this season after the double fracture of his right leg last week.
Caretaker manager Darius Kierans has Glen Fitzpatrick and Jamie Duffy suspended while Robbie Martin and Damien Brennan are out injured. Defender Jamie Harris is also a doubt. Garreth O’Connor returns from suspension.
Shane McFaul also returns from suspension to anchor Sporting Fingal’s midfield as they host Galway United at Morton Stadium. Defenders John Frost (hamstring) and Stephen Paisley (chest) remain sidelined, though Kenny Browne (‘flu) and Eamon Zayed (calf) hope to be passed fit.
Galway are missing their goalkeeper and captain Barry Ryan and defender Rhys Meynell through suspension while striker Karl Sheppard is in Ukraine with the Ireland youths.
Suspension rules midfielder Gary McCabe out of Sligo Rovers’ home clash with bottom side Bray Wanderers. Mauro Almeida (Achilles) remains out long-term while left-back Iarhflaith Davoren is out due to a hamstring strain. Richie Ryan and striker Matthew Blinkhorn face late fitness tests.
Bray defender Shane O’Connor is suspended while Richie Baker, Stephen Brennan, Dean Zambra, Dave Tyrrell and Dave O’Neill are injured.
