Tonight
Finn Harps v Shelbourne (7.15)
While the financial side of the club's problems seem to be easing slightly, Gavin Dykes is still some way short of fielding his strongest panel. Back from injury this week are Fergal Harkin and Shane Bradley, which is good news for the player/manager but Tom Mohan, Paddy McGrenaghan, Niall Bonner (all knee) and Kevin McHugh (back) are all in various states of disrepair at the moment.
Still, Dykes is upbeat about the prospect of the champions coming to town, observing that "they have a tendency to make other sides lift their game, we know we'll have to do that if we're to get anything out of the fixture." but we certainly give them a battle and if we manage to score first." Shelbourne, meanwhile, may be without Pat Fenlon (calf) or Owen Heary (hamstring) both of whom have missed training this week.
Avery John is back from international duty and Jim Crawford got a full 90 minutes under his belt in an under-21 game last weekend.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: Harps 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 1 Harps 1, Harps 2 Shelbourne 3; 00/01: Shelbourne 0 Harps 1.
Recent league form: Harps: LWLWL; Shelbourne: DDDWD.
Leading scorers: Harps: Nesovic (five); Shelbourne: Foran (five).
Betting: Home: 4/1, Draw: 12/5, Away: 8/13.
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
Kilkenny City v Galway United (7.30)
Both clubs are in need of a win but the urgency is clearly more important for the hosts who are in danger of being completely tailed off down at the foot of the table.
Joe McGrath continues to shake things up in an attempt to spark a revival with Richie Purdy the latest arrival at Buckley Park. The Dubliner will start this evening in central defence. Declan Geoghegan could be on his way to the south east over the next week or so. Galway are without Kieran Foley but Stephen Grant is expected to start up front alongside Eric Lavine.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: United 1 City 2.
Recent league form: City: LLLLL; United: DLLLL.
Leading scorers: City: Murray, Mulcahy, Kabia, Carter and Byrne (one apiece); United: Lavine (eight).
Betting: Home: 5/2, Draw: 2/1, Away: Evens.
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
Tomorrow
Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers (3.15)
The last meeting produced a remarkable five goal game at Richmond Park with Rovers just about coming out on top. Damien Richardson is expecting tomorrow's encounter to be even tougher.
"We've come on a bit during the last few weeks, especially in terms of mental strength and we'll be going up there to keep up the winning run."
Richardson's only doubt is Jason Colwell whose ankle injury is still troubling him.
Last two seasons: 1999/00: Did not meet; 00/01: Rovers 3 Longford 2.
Recent league form: Longford: LWLWD; Rovers: WDWWW.
Leading scorers: Longford: O'Connor and Kelly (three apiece); Rovers: Francis (five).
Betting: Home: 2/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 11/10.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
