Dundalk and St Patrick's Athletic face the prospect of hectic league run-ins after their Premier Division game at Oriel Park was postponed last night due to a water-logged pitch, writes Emmet Malone.

The clubs were unable to agree on a new date for the game as the Dubliners declined an initial offer by their hosts to play either today or tomorrow, on the basis that Paul Osam's testimonial dinner is due to take place this evening.

One Dundalk official suggested that Thursday week might be an alternative, but that would leave the two clubs - one fighting to stay in the division, the other attempting to win it - with four games each to play during the last seven or nine days of the season.

"We had a massive problem before tonight," said Pat Dolan, after referee John Feighery decided to call off the game, "now we have an extra one."

League commissioner, Roy Dooney later expressed the hope that the two sides would agree to play this weekend. He added that if no agreement was reached then Thursday week would look to be the only alternative.

If March 28th is settled upon, then St Patrick's would have to play four games during a spell in which title rivals Shelbourne would play just two. "I don't think that will happen," said Dolan. "I like to think that fairness will prevail but we will certainly fight to protect our rights."