Saturday
Finn Harps v Waterford Utd (7.30)
Having sent the cup holders home with their tails between their legs during the week, the Donegalmen have to keep their alternative route to Europe open by beating Premier Division strugglers Waterford at home this evening.
Harps are back to full strength with Pascal Vaudequin having completed his two-match suspension. However, manager Charlie McGeever insists that the Frenchman won't be an automatic starter as his replacement, Ruari Boyle, performed well over the course of his two games in the side.
Mike Flanagan, meanwhile, continues to amass an increasing number of options and his only two remaining injury problems are those keeping Alan Reynolds and Robbie Griffin out of the reckoning. His side, he concedes, are still conceding too many soft goals and not scoring enough but Flanagan feels that bad luck played a considerable part in the defeat by UCD and the draw with Shamrock Rovers. If the performances over the coming weeks match those Flanagan predicts United can still play their way out of trouble.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 1998/99: Finn Harps 1 Waterford United 2; Waterford United 0 Finn Harps 3.
Recent league form: Finn Harps: L D D D W; United: L L L D L. Leading scorers: Finn Harps: Mulligan (eight), Speak (seven); Waterford United: Gannon (three), Dully and Wood (two each).
Betting: Home: 4/7; Draw: 12/5; Away: 9/2.
Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
Sligo Rovers v Bohemians (7.30)
Rovers have done well against Bohemians this season although mentioning that to Nicky Reid merely prompts the Englishman to point out that, until last week's 3-2 defeat, they had a decent enough record against Dundalk too.
"We blew that with some terrible defending and we won't get out of the trouble we're in unless we finally start to tighten things up at the back," he says.
All of which will be easier if Wesley Charles is involved against the Dubliners this evening. However, that is far from certain for the West Indian defender is suffering from a calf strain and faces a late fitness test. Mattie Hare and Steve Birks will both be missing due to injury while Jim Sheridan is another facing a test on a back problem but, in a strange break with recent tradition, Rovers have nobody suspended for what is a crucial game.
Bohemians, meanwhile, had their recent unbeaten run ended by Finn Harps last weekend and Roddy Collins is determined that they get back on track. Shaun Maher will return to the back four while Peter Hanrahan, who impressed in midweek with his Leinster Cup performance against Athlone, could well be a part of the starting strike-force.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Sligo Rovers 2 Bohemians 2; Bohemians 1 Sligo Rovers 1; Sligo Rovers 2 Bohemians 1; 1998/99: Sligo Rovers 2 Bohemians 2; Bohemians 0 Sligo Rovers 1.
Recent league form: Sligo Rovers: L L D D L; Bohemians: D W W D L.
Leading scorers: Sligo Rovers: Hallows (seven), Shannon (six); Bohemians: Swan (eight), Lawlor (three).
Betting: Home: 6/4; Draw: 11/5; Away: 6/4.
Referee: T Tully (Cork).
Sunday
Cork City v Derry City (12.0)
Dave Barry reckons that from here on in it's all about who wants the league title more and this game will be a perfect opportunity to gauge just what sort of appetite the southerners have. Going out of the cup may yet turn out to be the best thing that could have happened for Barry's men because one or two key players have looked a little tired over the past couple of months. The side needs to seriously up the performances in the second third of the season if they are to re-take the lead from St Patrick's.
Pat Morley is available again after missing the trip to Finn Harps due to work commitments and given his recent run of form it seems safe to assume that he'll be back in the starting line up. Beyond that there won't be too many changes in the home side's starting 11.
Derry, on the other hand, have a few problems to contend with. Paul Hegarty is suspended and Sean Hargan (thigh strain) are both definitely out while Liam Coyle (ankle) and Eddie McCallion (knee) will travel but face tests on arrival in Cork.
City boss Kevin Mahon says his team are going there to get something out of the game and if they do then it will be a bitter blow to Cork's championship aspirations.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Cork 2 Derry 0; Derry 1 Cork 1; Cork 0 Derry 1; 1998/99: Cork 2 Derry 1; Derry 1 Cork 1.
Recent league form: Cork: W D L D W; Derry: L W W D D.
Leading scorers: Cork: Flanagan (seven), Cahill (six); Derry: Coyle (seven), McHugh (five).
Betting: Home: 4/6; Draw: 12/5; Away: 7/2.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
UCD v Shelbourne (3.15)
With Pat Fenlon out until next season Dermot Keely's side face a tough time if they are to salvage something from what has been a terribly erratic season. The win against Bohemians means that they are still in with a serious shout of winning the cup again but it is games like this that they must win if they are to have a real chance of snatching third place in the league.
Dean Fitzgerald, who came in for Fenlon last weekend, is likely to start this time and Keely expects to start with much the same team that held on to beat Rovers at Tolka Park.
UCD, meanwhile, will be without Clive Delaney who starts a twomatch ban. Robert Dunne may be the one who comes back into the starting line up, although it will depend on how Theo Dunne and Dr Tony O'Neill choose to reshuffle things in defence.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: UCD 2 Shelbourne 1; Shelbourne 3 UCD 1; UCD 2 Shelbourne 3; 1998/99: UCD 1 Shelbourne 1; Shelbourne 1 UCD 1.
Recent league form: UCD: D L L D W; Shelbourne: L L L D W.
Leading scorers: UCD: O'Byrne (seven), Bennis (four); Shelbourne: Sheridan (nine), Fenlon (seven).
Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.
Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).
First Division
They almost forgot what is was like to win a game up of mid-season form and Stephen Kenny is optimistic that they can now get back into at least third spot over the coming weeks.
Shay Zellor returned to the side the other night and John Vaughan is likely to start tonight which, says Kenny, will expand his options. Home Farm have lacked consistency but they are capable of beating just about anybody on their day.
Kilkenny City are still without Robert Walsh and Kevin kelly for the visit of Athlone Town to Buckley Park, while there are doubts about Tommy Gaynor and Paul Cashin. However, there is some good news for Alfie Hale as he targets a late promotion surge as John Power has recovered from an ankle injury and is ready for a place, at the very least, on the bench.
In the division's third game of the night, Pat Maher should ease John O'Rourke's injury problems by shaking off an ankle problem to play for Cobh at Monaghan. Ramblers are still struggling a bit in other areas though with several players, including goalkeeper Alan O'Shea, still having problems getting back to full fitness.
Fixtures - Saturday: Kilkenny City v Athlone Town, Longford Town v Home Farm/Everton, Monaghan United v Cobh Ramblers (all 7.30).
