With the cup final firmly on the horizon for the home side Stephen Kenny looks set to rest Colin Hawkins again and so Dave Hill, who picked up a calf injury during the warm up at Inchicore earlier this week, looks set to get a run out.

Bohemians v Shelbourne

Dalymount Park, 2.45

Wayne Russell has finally recovered from the shoulder injury that has had him sidelined in recent weeks and he may return for Michael Dempsey in goal.

Shelbourne will be without Tony McCarthy while Jim Crawford and Martin Gritton are both doubtful. Barry Prenderville and Richie Baker are also facing late fitness tests and it appears that Dermot Keely will have to throw Kevin Doherty back into his defence despite not fully recovering from a broken rib.

Last two seasons: 2000/2001: Shelbourne 4 Bohemians 2, Bohemians 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 2 Bohemians 4; 2001/2002: Bohemians 4 Shelbourne 6, Shelbourne 1 Bohemians 0.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Crowe (19); Shelbourne: Geoghegan (nine).

League form: Bohemians: D W W D L; Shelbourne: W L W W D.

Betting: Home: 13/8, Draw: 11/5, Away: 11/8.

Longford Town v St Patrick's Ath

Flancare Park, 2.45

Martin Lawlor must wait to see whether Keith O'Connor will recover from a viral infection in time to play tomorrow but the Longford manager is hoping to have a full-strength squad to pick from.

Pat Dolan's side arrive, meanwhile, having already established beyond any real doubt that on the pitch they have had no equals in the league this season. The primary concern will be that they can extend their run of seven league wins by just one more.

Last two seasons: 2000/2001: St Patrick's 2 Longford 4, Longford 0 St Patrick's 3, St Patrick's 2 Longford 1; 2001/2002: Longford 3 St Patrick's 3, St Patrick's 3 Longford 2.

Leading scorers: Longford: Lavine (10); St Patrick's: Mbabazi (14).

League form: Longford: L L W L W; St Patrick's Ath: W W W W W.

Betting: Home: 11/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 5/6.

Monaghan United v Dundalk

Century Homes Park, 2.45

The game has long since been up for Monaghan but tomorrow afternoon they can make sure that a club they have had a few run ins with over the last couple of seasons returns to the first division with them.

As usual the home side has its fair share of injury problems with Robbie Brunton (knee ligaments) and Trevor Vaughan (ankle) out while there are serious doubts regarding the fitness of John Carroll (hamstring) and Jonathon King (knee).

Martin Murray, meanwhile, will probably be without James Keddy who now looks "touch and go" for next weekend's cup final in Dublin.

The loss of the midfielder, who picked up a hamstring problem on Thursday against Dundalk, would be a major blow to the visiting side's hopes of avoiding the drop but there is some consolation in that Martin Reilly looks set to be available again after having eight stitches removed from a gash over his eye.

Last two seasons: 2000/01: Dundalk 2 United 0, United 1 Dundalk 1, Dundalk 1 United 0, United 4 Dundalk 0; 2001/02: Monaghan 1 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 3 Monaghan 0.

Leading scorers: Monaghan: Vaughan (five); Dundalk: Haylock and Keddy (five apiece).

League form: Monaghan: L L L L L; Dundalk: W D W W L.

Betting: Home: 11/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 5/6.

Shamrock Rovers v Galway Utd

Tolka Park, 2.45

Pat Scully is still absent from the Rovers side due to a hamstring injury but Shane Robinson is available again and almost certain to go straight to go back into Damien Richardson's starting line up.

Despite his side's miserable run of result of late Tony Mannion is curiously upbeat about going to Tolka tomorrow, observing that, in his opinion, Rovers turned in the weakest performance of any side that visited Terryland Park since his return.

"They just looked disinterested," says Mannion, "which amazed me given their position in the league at the time." Rovers still won 2-0 of course but Mannion hopes that with a full squad to choose from this time the underdogs might just sneak something.

Last two seasons: 2000/01: United 1 Rovers 0, Rovers 0 United 0, United 1 Rovers 1; 2001/02: Rovers 3 United 0, United 0, United 0 Rovers 2.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Francis (12); United: A Murphy (11).

League form: Rovers: L L W L L; United: L L L L L.

Betting: Home: 1/4, Draw: 4/1, Away: 5/2.

Derry City v Cork City

Brandywell, 12.00

Derry, hoping to stem the flow of seven goals conceded in their last two games, will again be without left-back Sean Hargan due to a broken bone in a foot. Padraig Moran (groin), Gary Beckett (ankle) and Darren McCaul (wrist) are also out with injury.

Darren Kelly continues to be troubled by a back problem but is likely to start.

Teenagers Declan McBride, Kevin Deery and Gareth Mullan, who will play in an under-21 match today, will be drafted into the first team squad.

Right-back Alan Carey continues his recovery from an ankle injury, so Cork can expect to be unchanged from the side that trounced Monaghan United 5-1 last week.

Last two seasons: 2000/2001: Cork City 0 Derry City 2, Derry City 1 Cork City 1, Cork City 1 Derry City 0; 2001/2002: Derry City 1 Cork City 0, Cork City 1 Derry City 0.

Current league form: Derry City: W D W L L; Cork City: L W L L W .

Leading league scorers: Derry City: Coyle (nine); Cork City: Cahill (eight).

Referee: D. McKeon (Dublin).

Betting: Home: 11/4; Draw: 11/5; Away: 13/8.

UCD v Bray Wanderers

Belfield, 2.45

Stretching their unbeaten run to eight games with a win gives UCD a top six finish - remarkble considering they were a hot tip for relegation.

With winger John Martin (hamstring) and left-back Darragh Ryan (knee) still out, College boss Paul Doolin will insist on no let up from an unchanged side.

One point from games with Bohemians and Dundalk put paid to any linger thoughts of an InterToto Cup place for Bray.

Manager Pat Devlin will bring in a few fringe players with winger Paul Forsyth, for one, set to start. A jaded Mick Doohan will again be rested while Phil Keogh is again sidelined with a calf injury.

Last two seasons: 2000/2001: Bray Wanderers 1 UCD 2, UCD 1 Bray Wanderers 1, Bray Wanderers 1 UCD 0; 2001/2002: UCD 1 Bray Wanderers 2, Bray Wanderers 1 UCD 1.

Current league form: UCD: W W D W D; Bray Wanderers: W W W D L.

Leading league scorers: UCD: R. Martin (10); Bray Wanderers: Byrne (12).

Referee: R. O'Hanlon (Waterford)

Betting: Home: 5/4; Draw: 9/4 Away: 7/4.

- Emmet Malone and Paul Buttner