Saturday
Longford Town v Shelbourne
(Flancare Park, 7.30)
The strength in depth of Shelbourne's squad will be tested to the full as Dermot Keely is hit by injuries and a suspension for Jim Gannon. Dessie Baker is out with a knee injury while younger brother Richie (groin) remains a doubt. Keely's options on either flank and midfielder are limited as Pat Fenlon (knee) and Jim Crawford (hamstring) are also unlikely to feature.
On the plus side Peter Hutton returns from suspension, but Keely will still need to draft in a couple of his under-21 squad.
Longford not having won in nine league games has baffled Keely. "I don't understand it," he said. "It's strange considering they did so well last season and they then strengthened the team in the summer."
Left-back and captain Wes Byrne (back) is Longford's main doubt. Stuart Byrne may move across from right back as Alan Murphy returns from suspension. Central defender Paul McNally resumes following an Achilles injury.
Last two season: 2000/2001: Longford Town 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 1 Longford Town 1, Longford Town 0 Shelbourne 1. 2001/2002: Shelbourne 2 Longford Town 0.
Current league form: Longford Town: D D L L D; Shelbourne: L W W L W.
Leading league scorers: Longford Town: Lavine (four); Shelbourne: Geoghegan (six).
Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).
Betting: Home: 7/2; Draw: 9/4; Away: 4/6.
SUNDAY
Bray Wanderers v Derry City
(Carlisle Grounds, 3.15)
Bray manager Pat Devlin's believes the secret of Derry City's success this season is playing at home on a Thursday night. Six wins and a draw from their seven games at the Brandywell would add weight to Devlin's claim, especially considering Derry managed just five wins in 17 home games last season.
"Getting a team together, getting players off work on the Thursday to go up to Derry is a problem for all visiting teams," said Devlin. "It's a distinct advantage to them. But you also have to say they have capitalised on it and well done to them."
Devlin waits on Colm Tresson and Wes Charles who have niggling hamstring twinges but both should be fit to start.
Derry, doing little wrong on a five-match winning streak, bring a full squad to the Carlisle Grounds.
Last two seasons: 2000/2001: Bray Wanderers 1 Derry City 0, Derry City 1 Bray Wanderers 1, Bray Wanderers 2 Derry City 1. 2001/2002: Derry City 3 Bray Wanderers 1.
Current league form: D W L W D. Derry City: L W W W W.
Leading league scorers: Bray Wanderers: Byrne (six); Derry City: Hughes (four).
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Dublin).
Betting: Home: 6/4; Draw: 2/1; Away: 7/4.
Dundalk v Cork City
(Oriel Park, 3.0)
"We badly need a result," says Dundalk manager Martin Murray whose side have lost four of their last five games. "Apart from the scoreless draw with Rovers, we haven't been producing the goods in recent weeks."
David Crawley, captain and left-back, returns for Dundalk after a knee injury while midfielder Stuart Connolly could force his way onto the bench.
Cork must rejig their frontline as Pat Morley is suspended and Colin Patrick O'Brien is in Brian Kerr's under-19 squad for the UEFA qualifying tournament in Cork next week. James Mulligan, hoping to be fit following his ankle injury, will come back in to partner Noel Hartigan in attack. Right-back Alan Carey will require a fitness test.
Last two seasons: 2000/2001: Did not meet; 2001/2002: Cork City 0 Dundalk 1.
Current league form: Dundalk: W L L D L; Cork City: W L W D D.
Leading league scorers: Dundalk: Robinson (three); Cork City: Cahill (five).
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin) Betting: Home: 2/1; Draw: 2/1; Away: 5/4.
Monaghan Utd v Shamrock Rvrs (Century Homes Park, 3.0)
"We have to restore a bit of pride somehow," says Monaghan's Bobby Browne following the worst week of his fledgling managerial career. The 8-0 defeat in Galway was followed by a League Cup exit at first division Sligo Rovers.
Browne continues to be plagued by injuries with striker, and leading-scorer, Trevor Vaughan, Derek Gill and John Carroll all still out. Mick Scully is suspended while Brian Mooney has decided to quit football.
Ashley White and Robbie Brunton offer some relief as they return from suspension while goalkeeper Gareth Downey, signed on a three-month loan deal from Shelbourne, is set to make his debut.
Marc Kenny, who has been playing with an ankle injury in recent games, is out for Rovers as are Greg Costello and Jason Colwell with calf strains. Pat Scully returns to the side having missed the League Cup win at Shelbourne in mid-week. Pat Deans is likely to continue at right back with Shane Robinson deputising for Kenny on the right side of midfield.
Manager Damien Richardson is toying with the idea of leaving under-21 midfielder Paul Caffrey in the side after a fine performance alongside Derek Tracey against Shelbourne in the League Cup.
Up front, the two Grants, Tony and Stephen, will start if Seβn Francis fails a fitness test on a groin strain.
Last two seasons: 2000/2001: Did not meet; 2001/2002: Shamrock Rovers 4 Monaghan United 0.
Current league form: Monaghan United: L W L L L; Shamrock Rovers: L W W D D.
Leading league scorers: Monaghan United: Vaughan (three); Shamrock Rovers: Francis (seven).
Referee: H Whoriskey (Dublin).
Betting: Home: 11/2; Draw: 9/4; Away: 1/2.
