LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREVIEWS:HAVING BOTH given themselves a chance of progressing in Europe thanks to second-half comebacks in midweek, Cork City and Drogheda United go head to head in the league tomorrow at United Park where the visitors will be looking to stay in touch with the Premier Division pacesetters by securing a sixth successive win.
With 10 goals in City's last 10 league outings, Dave Mooney's form has been central to their steady movement up the table but, as Alan Mathews acknowledges, the champions will provide a particularly stern test for his men tomorrow.
Drogheda manager Paul Doolin will select from much the same squad he had available for Wednesday's Champions League qualifier against Levadia Tallinn although left-back Joe Kendrick misses out on this occasion due to suspension.
Cork City, meanwhile, are without John O'Flynn whose ankle injury is likely to keep him out for at least a month. In his absence Denis Behan is set to partner Mooney in attack once again.
Cobh Ramblers travel to Belfield this evening badly needing to halt a run of poor results that includes eight defeats in their last 11 league outings.
Shane Guthrie is back from suspension for the game but Stephen Henderson is without Kieran O'Reilly (hamstring) while similar injuries may yet keep Graham Cummins and Michael Mulconry on the sidelines for the evening. Having scored a hat-trick for the club's A team against Bray last week, striker Ross Gaynor is expected to be handed his debut.
UCD are close to full strength for the game with Alan Mahon the only confirmed absentee due to injury although Brian Shortall is a major doubt after taking a knock to the face in the friendly game against Dundee United this week.
Manager Pete Mahon denied tonight's encounter (which gets under way at 6pm) is a must-win but then promptly said if his side doesn't take all three points, "There'll be plenty of must-win games further down the stretch."
A couple of hours later up at the Showgrounds Sligo Rovers take on Finn Harps without either Conor O'Grady (suspended) or Steve Feeney (hamstring) while Seamus Coleman and Rafael Cretaro are both rated as "50-50" with ankle problems.
Harps manager Paul Hegarty's long battle to get something even approaching his strongest side out on the pitch continues, meanwhile, with new signing Davy Byrne now out for a few weeks after picking up a hamstring injury on his debut for the club.
