National League Premier Division: Having done so as a Derry City player in 1989, Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin knows how to win a treble. He is thus well placed to appreciate the anticipation that must be buzzing around the heads of Derry's class of 2006 as the season draws to a climax.
Doolin's Drogheda, desperate to make Europe and the Setanta Cup themselves, represent a most formidable obstacle in the way of Stephen Kenny's treble-chasers at United Park tonight. And, having managed to take just one point from their recent two meetings at the Brandywell, Derry must surely travel with trepidation.
Drogheda have their own goal for the season and that's winning the battle with Cork City for third place and the aforementioned prizes that come with that.
While Cork face Shelbourne and Derry in their final two matches, after tonight, Drogheda have the more winnable games against Sligo Rovers and Waterford United at home. "To take four points against any of the top four teams away from home, you'd have to play well and we did that," said Doolin in reference to their two recent games at the Brandywell. "The only thing is that (tonight's) game is the bigger of the three of them.
"It's important that, as we're at home, we try to win the game. As with Friday's game at Shelbourne, a draw is really no good to either us or them. Cork have got to play both Shels and Derry, so I wouldn't read too much into being behind them at the minute."
Captain Declan O'Brien returns from suspension in attack and right-back Brian Shelley, who also missed Friday's 2-2 draw at Shelbourne with 'flu, bolster's the defence as Drogheda aim to stretch their unbeaten run to six games.
Derry, three points behind leaders Shelbourne with - for the moment at least - the same number of games played, are without striker Stephen O'Flynn who damaged an arm in Friday's 0-0 draw with Bray Wanderers. Winger Killian Brennan returns to the squad while Kenny waits for fitness checks on defenders Darren Kelly, Ken Oman and Seán Hargan.
Though the club has said they have not accepted manager Seán Connor's resignation, formally given to them last Friday, Gareth Gorman has been placed in caretaker charge of Sligo Rovers for the visit of Shelbourne.
Right-back Gavin Peers and midfielder Chris Turner return following suspension, but goalkeeper John O'Hara is again absent with a dislocated thumb while central defender Liam Burns completes a two-match ban.
Shelbourne captain Owen Heary has returned to full training following the hamstring injury that appeared to have ruled him out for the rest of the season. He won't feature tonight, but has targeted Friday's trip to Cork for his return.
Midfielder Joseph Ndo has recovered from the ankle injury that forced his substitution in Friday's 2-2 draw with Drogheda.
With manager Pat Fenlon hinting at changes, winger Richie Baker and leading scorer Jason Byrne may start.
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated) Premier Division - Drogheda United v Derry City, Sligo Rovers v Shelbourne. First Division - Shamrock Rovers v Monaghan United (8.0)
