National League Premier Division: Drogheda United haven't had too long to feel sorry for themselves after Tuesday night's FAI Cup semi-final replay defeat to Longford Town. It's champions Shelbourne at home tonight in a top-of-the-table clash.
"It's perhaps the best thing, to have a high-profile game up next," said Drogheda striker Andy Myler. "It's on the telly, we need to beat them. In fact, it's like another cup semi-final. There couldn't be a better game to try to get back into things.
"It will probably be harder than the game the other night. But it's a great game to play in and if we can't get up for it then we won't get up for anything."
Having been in the top three since April, ensuring their season doesn't peter out completely is Drogheda's priority now.
"It's gone well enough so far. At the end of the season you don't want to look back and say we were knocked out of the semis in the cup and finished fifth in the league," added Myler."You want to stay on and show that it wasn't a flash in the pan for 20-odd games; that we were able to stay there for the finish and get something out of the season."
A fourth successive home defeat would compound a bad week. And if Bohemians beat St Patrick's tonight, Drogheda would drop to a disappointing third in the table.
The flip side is that victory against Shelbourne would move Drogheda to within five points of the leaders to leave the door to the title race open.
"You'd like to hope that Shels might get the jitters," said Myler wistfully. "But people have said that about them already this season and they have responded after a defeat, come back and won a few games on the trot and reopened the gap again."
Drogheda are at full strength. Joseph Ndo, who goes in for a groin operation next week, is Shelbourne's only absentee.
Bohemians, who face Shelbourne twice next week, can extend their unbeaten league run to 11 games with victory over St Patrick's Athletic at Dalymount Park. Manager Gareth Farrelly must reshape his line-up, however, in the absence of suspended captain Kevin Hunt.
Glen Crowe and Fergal Harkin, who have had knee injuries, along with Ken Oman, have resumed training, but this game has come too soon for them. Bobby Ryan is rated doubtful with a foot injury.
St Patrick's have Des Byrne and Keith Fahey back from suspension to give manager John McDonnell a fully fit squad.
A proposed fans' protest is the last thing Shamrock Rovers need as their players fulfil their match with Derry City at Richmond Park before meeting afterwards to discuss further action in their dispute with the club over non-payment of back wages.
"I don't know what to do in this situation as I've never been in it before," said bewildered manager Noel Synnott. "I know the players are physically fit, but I don't know how they will be mentally. It's not an easy situation because we've got to get the points to help keep us in the division."
Trevor Molloy and Jason McGuinness return from suspension while Synnott waits on the fitness of Stephen Grant and Shane Robinson, who picked up knocks in last week's defeat at Cork City.
Sean Hargan (foot) remains out for Derry, though manager Stephen Kenny says he may make a change despite their rousing win at Shelbourne on Monday.
Tonight's Fixtures
NATIONAL LEAGUE: Premier Division: Bohemians v St Patrick's Athletic; Drogheda United v Shelbourne (7.30); Shamrock Rovers v Derry City (7.0). First Division: Athlone Town v Limerick FC; Galway United v Cobh Ramblers (7.30).
