Sport

Drogheda in rude health as they face Rovers

League of Ireland Premier Division: Having won six championships as a player during a 20-year on-field career, Paul Doolin …

Paul Buttner
Fri Oct 12 2007 - 01:00

 League of Ireland Premier Division:Having won six championships as a player during a 20-year on-field career, Paul Doolin isn't one to panic as the season enters its business end and a first title as a manager looks inevitable.

A positive result against Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park tonight would see Drogheda going for the first title in the club's history when Cork visit United Park next Friday night.

Predictably, Doolin is preaching "one game at a time" as he brings a virtually full-strength squad to Dublin.

Defender Graham Gartland and wingers Ollie Cahill and Richie Baker shipped knocks in last week's home win over Sligo Rovers, but have been passed fit.

READ MORE

Shamrock Rovers, the only team to have beaten Drogheda twice this season, remain in contention for second place.

Goalkeeper Barry Murphy and midfielder Paul Shiels return from suspension, but central defender Barry Ferguson is suspended, while winger John Martin is out with a groin injury.

Unbeaten in 11 games, Cork travel to Bray without their suspended captain Dan Murray. Joe Gamble is fit again following an ankle injury, although striker John O'Flynn is out with a thigh injury.

Bray, in need of points to secure their Premier Division survival, are without captain Clive Delaney and fringe midfielder Mark Duggan due to suspension.

Joseph Ndo remains out with a thigh injury for St Patrick's Athletic's trip to Sligo Rovers, but defenders Stephen Paisley and Darragh Maguire are fit again.

Sligo are likely to be without skipper Adam Hughes for the third match running as speculation mounts on his future while right back Séamus Coleman is away with Don Givens' Irish under-21s in Sweden tonight.

Bohemians, without the suspended Dessie Byrne, must check on the fitness of striker Darren Mansaram ahead of their home meeting with Galway United, though midfielder Chris Turner, cup-tied for the League Cup final defeat in Derry on Tuesday, returns along with Mark Rossiter, now free of suspension.

Daryl Robson hopes to make his return to Galway's midfield after a fortnight out.

UCD are without suspended midfielder Shane McFaul and unwell left-back Ian Bermingham at Derry City.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated)

League of Ireland Premier Division: Bohemians v Galway United; Bray Wanderers v Cork City; Derry City v UCD; Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda United (7.55); Sligo Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic (8.0). First Division: Athlone Town v Shelbourne; Finn Harps v Limerick 37 (8.0); Kilkenny City v Cobh Ramblers (8.0).

English Football League One: Hartlepool v Bristol Rovers; Tranmere v Walsall. Two: Brentford v Rotherham; Chester v Hereford; Grimsby v Rochdale; Morecambe v Bradford