Today (7.30)
Finn Harps v UCD
Aside from Stephen Kelly, whose injury has been confirmed as a cruciate problem and who will therefore be out for the season, neither side has any other injuries to report.
Harps have hit a bit of form of late with Jonathan Speak looking particularly sharp while the students appeared to be settling down nicely until getting caught out at Cork last week.
Last season: UCD 4 Harps 0, Harps 5 UCD 1, UCD 0 Harps 0.
Recent league form: Harps: LWLWW, UCD: DWDWL.
Leading scorers: Harps: Speak (4) and Mulligan (3), UCD: Sherlock (3).
Betting: Home: 11/10, Draw: 2/1, Away: 5/2.
Referee: P Dempsey (Dublin).
Kilkenny City v Derry City
Derry, according to their manager, continue to play some of their best football since he arrived at the club but the results have yet to improve. With the rest of the big names disappearing into the distance, Felix Healy admits that his team have to win this one but they will have to do it without Robbie Brunton, who is suspended, while Gary Beckett is doubtful due to a hamstring problem.
Kilkenny's ambitions may not be as grand as Derry's but their need for points just now is every bit as desperate. Last week's slip-up has increased the pressure for a result and Alfie Hale will be hoping that the arrival of 28-year-old American midfielder Tim Foster will have an impact. Martin Reid is out, though, with a torn back muscle.
Last season: Did not play.
Recent league form: Kilkenny: LLLLL, Derry: DLWLL.
Leading scorers: Kilkenny: Hale (3), Derry: L Coyle, Hutton, Keddy, Curran and Hargan (1 each).
Betting: Home: 13/2, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/9.
Referee: B Barry (Waterford).
Sligo Rovers v Cork City
These two are enjoying contrasting fortunes on the injury front with Nicky Reid expecting everybody to be available for this game and Dave Barry resigned to being without almost half of his first-choice players.
Cork halted their slide by beating UCD last weekend but have been further hit by injuries for this game with Philip Long and Gareth Cronin both doubtful.
Last season: Cork 1 Sligo 2, Sligo 1 Cork 4, Cork 1 Sligo 0.
Recent league form: Sligo: WWWLL, Cork: WLLLW.
Leading scorers: Sligo: Rose (4), Cork: O'Brien (3).
Betting: Home: 5/2, Draw: 2/1, Away: 11/10.
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
Tomorrow (3.15)
Bohemians v Shelbourne
The home side will be hoping to have one or two more players available after missing Derek Swan and Joe Hanrahan last week and throwing in Maurice O'Driscoll when he looked less than 100 per cent.
They did well in their three meetings with Shelbourne last season and could do with a win here but a great deal would seem to depend on Shelbourne's performance, for Damien Richardson's side have been somewhat erratic over the past few weeks.
Declan Geoghegan will probably miss out after sustaining what is thought to be a broken bone in the foot against Sligo and Dave Smith should fill in at left full again.
Last season: Shelbourne 0 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 1 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 0 Bohemians 1.
Recent league form: Bohemians: DWLDD, Shelbourne: WLWLW.
Leading scorers: Bohemians: Lawlor and Parkes (5 apiece), Shelbourne: S Geoghegan and Scully (5 apiece).
Betting: Home: 2/1, Draw: 7/4, Away: 6/4.
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
First Division
Limerick return to Dublin this evening after turning in a fine display against Shelbourne in Tuesday's League Cup quarterfinal at Tolka Park. Manager Dave Connell is likely to stick with as many of the same players as possible against Home Farm/ Everton while Dermot Keely may juggle things about again as he continues to search for the right combination.
Elsewhere, Galway United travel to Strokestown Road and bottom-placed Cobh take on Monaghan at St Colman's Park in the hope of lifting themselves off the foot of the table.
