Dundalk v Shelbourne (7.40)
The Dubliners may be in the driving seat this evening but they have a few minor headaches to contend with as they go to Oriel Park in search of the championship title.
Dave Campbell is out until the new season while Pat Fenlon and Dessie Baker are suspended. That means three of Damien Richardson's first choice midfield is unavailable and the manager's options may be further restricted if Greg Costello fails a fitness test before the kick-off.
If Costello is fit then he may be moved forward onto the right side of midfield with Mick Neville coming in at full-back. Richardson may also move one of his three central defenders into the holding role in midfield with Declan Geoghegan returning to the left full-back's berth and Dave Smith switching sides. Either way, it's a little more of a reshuffle than any manager would like to be forced into before such a vital game.
The only change the home side are likely to make is the reintroduction of Shane Reddish at right full with Jim McLaughlin then having to decide between Tom McNulty and Paul Carlyle in midfield.
The Dundalk boss insists that his side will give Shelbourne a good match and the Cup finalists will certainly not be taking anything for granted. At least they oughtn't to be.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Shelbourne 2 Dundalk 1, Dundalk 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 0 Dundalk 1; 97/98: Dundalk 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 2 Dundalk 0.
Recent league form: Dundalk: WWDLL; Shelbourne: DWWWW.
Leading scorers: Dundalk: Byrne (nine), Melvin and Hoey (six each); Shelbourne: S Geoghegan (16), Scully (11).
Betting: Home 3-1; Draw 5-2; Away 8-11.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Kilkenny City v St Patrick's Athletic (7.40)
Keen to capitalise on any slip-up by their rivals, the Saints will be close to full strength for this game - even closer if Packie Lynch, who was back in light training last night, is risked for the club's last game of the season.
Whatever happens, insists manager Pat Dolan, there will be "a bit of a celebration" afterwards because "we've achieved a great deal this season and we still believe that we have been the best team in Ireland".
Dolan concedes that to go out tonight and look to win by seven goals would be both an act of lunacy and "an insult to Kilkenny". His opposite number, Alfie Hale, is somewhat miffed anyway, pointing to the general presumption that the only result in doubt is the one at Oriel Park.
"It's a good match for us to finish on because it gives us something to play for. We'll have something to prove too. People keep going on as if the result down here is a certainty but St Patrick's will have to worry about getting past us before they start to worry about what's going on up in Oriel Park."
The hosts are likely to make a couple of changes from last week's line up with Robert Walsh ruled out by flu and Paul Cashin missing through injury. Brendan Rea will drop back into the defence in place of Walsh with Martin Reid returning to start his last game before retirement, while Aidan Cooney will play in Cashin's place.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Kilkenny 0 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 1 Kilkenny 0.
Recent league form: Kilkenny: DLDWD; St Patrick's: DLWWW.
Leading scorers: Kilkenny: Hale (five), Reddy (four); St Patrick's: Gilzean (12), Molloy (eight).
Betting: Home 11-2; Draw 3-1; Away 2-5.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Shamrock Rovers v Cork City (7.40)
While Cork City cheer for Shelbourne in the league race in the hope that they pick up the place in the Cup Winners' Cup, the best case scenario for Rovers would appear to be St Patrick's snatching the championship, Shelbourne winning the cup and them winning this and taking the UEFA Cup rather than the Inter Toto spot.
The latter competition has been revamped this year in order to make it more attractive to the stronger nations - the league format has been replaced by straightforward home and away knockout ties. Clubs from the likes of England, France and Germany will come in after a few rounds while, somewhat mysteriously, the Irish representatives will kick their competition off with a game against Turkish opposition. This means that, unless our representatives can improve on recent performances, there may be a three-week break, a couple of games and then another lay off before the start of the season proper.
Still, Mick Byrne is adamant that even that would be a welcome boost for his team and he expects his men to go hell for leather against City this evening.
Rovers' problem this season has been their persistent inability to beat the top sides and they will have to break that pattern in order to grab third place. The only anticipated change for the home side is the possible return of Marc Kenny from suspension for Brian Morrisroe who is rated doubtful with a hamstring problem.
Last two seasons: 1996/97: Cork 0 Rovers 1, Rovers 0 Cork 1, Cork 1 Rovers 1; 97/98: Rovers 1 Cork 3, Cork 2 Rovers 1.
Recent league form: Rovers: DWWLL; Cork: DDLWW.
Leading scorers: Rovers: Cousins (14); Cork: O'Brien (seven), Cahill (six).
Betting: Home 6-4; Draw 11-5; Away 6-4.
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
Betting supplied by Paddy Power.
