Today
Finn Harps v St Patrick's Athletic (7.30)
If the previous two meetings this season are anything to go by this should be a cracker. The Dubliners need a win to keep the pressure on Cork City ahead of their visit to Belfield, and Harps require the points in the battle for third place.
Neither side has much to worry about by way of injuries, with Tom Mohan's hamstring problem and John Gerard McGettgan's flu having cleared up. Mohan played with his injury against UCD last week, so the chances are the team will be unchanged.
Similarly, the visitors might stick with the same personnel, although manager Liam Buckley admits he is tempted to "juggle with things a little" after defeats by Galway and Bohemians.
While last week's loss was a blow, Buckley insists there were many positive factors in the performance. "If we create as many chances this weekend," he says, "then hopefully we'll be able to put a couple more of them away."
Eddie Gormley is still laid up with damaged knee ligaments, but even that problem looks like sorting itself out more quickly than had been expected, and the midfielder is now reckoned to be only a week or two away from playing again.
In the meantime, the goals have got to start flowing again.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Harps 1 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 1 Harps 0, Harps 0 St Patrick's 2; 98/99: Harps 2 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 2 Harps 2.
Recent league form: Harps: DWWLW; St Patrick's: WDWDL.
Leading scorers: Harps: Mulligan and Speak (eight each); St Patrick's: Gilzean (12), Molloy (11).
Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 5/4.
Tomorrow
UCD v Cork City (3.15)
City's assistant manager, Liam Murphy, reckons he'd prefer to be going to the Brandywell. Derry, Ballybofey or Tolka, it doesn't matter where really if only he could get out of the trips to Belfield.
"These are the games I dread all right," he laughs. "There's something about our games with UCD. They're always hard to beat and they always seem to play as if they have nothing to lose. Then, if we win, everybody says that that's what they expected, but if we lose nobody will let up about how `the students were better than you'."
Murphy, Dave Barry and their players have at least the satisfaction of knowing that, after it had all appeared to be slipping out of their hands a few weeks back, they are right back at the heart of the title race. Unfortunately, they are going to be without key central defender Derek Coughlan for the run-in (and a considerable chunk of next season), as the under-21 international must have a cruciate ligament operation.
Declan Daly is rated only 50/50 due to a hamstring problem, while Patsy Freyne and Kelvin Flanagan are carrying knocks but should be okay.
UCD, on the other hand, have a full squad to choose from for the first time since November. Mick O'Donnell was on the bench last week after a long lay-off, while Tony McDonnell is back from suspension.
The home side's need for the points may not be quite as pressing as that of their visitors, but Dr Tony O'Neill feels that they are still a couple of wins short of safety and notching one of them up in this game would certainly take a fair bit of the pressure off.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: City 1 UCD 0, UCD 0 City 0, UCD 1 City 2; 98/99: UCD 0 City 1, City 1 UCD 2.
Recent league form: UCD: DWLDL; City: DWLWW.
Leading scorers: UCD: O'Byrne (six); City: Cahill and Flanagan (seven apiece).
Betting: Home: 9/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: Evens.
Bohemians v Bray Wanderers (3.15)
It's been a hectic couple of weeks for Bray but the win over Sligo in midweek will have injected some confidence into a side which has become difficult to score against but which has terrible problems at the other end of the pitch.
They could certainly do with sticking a couple past Bohemians, in this game but they will have to do it without Glen Brien, who is suspended, John Ryan, who is injured, and, possibly, Alan Smith and Stephen Fox who have a shin injury and flu respectively.
"We have a couple of problems, but everybody at the club knows how important this game is for us," says Pat Devlin. "The reality is that nothing that has happened up to now matters at all, this is the start of our season and we'd better start it well."
Bohemians, meanwhile, could make changes despite scoring their biggest win of the season last Friday night at Richmond Park. Four players, Graham O'Hanlon, Graham Lawlor, Robbie Brunton and Kevin Hunt, are suspended, while Graham Doyle is ruled out by a groin problem. Paul Byrne (hamstring) and Maurice O'Driscoll (knee) are also doubtful.
Robert Coombes may be one of those to benefit, as the 18-year-old may start his first senior game for the club. Glean Wade and Ray Kelly are also in contention.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Bohemians 1 Wanderers 2, Wanderers 0 Bohemians 1.
Recent league form: Bohemians: DLLLW; Wanderers: DLDDL.
Leading scorers: Bohemians: Swan (nine), Wanderers: Byrne (five).
Betting: Home: Evens, Draw: 9/4, Away: 2/1.
First Division
Kilkenny City, who have said that if their appeal against expulsion from the Cup is turned down they will go to independent arbitration, are without a string of players again for this evening's visit of St Francis.
Kevin Kelly, Paul Cashin, Aidan Cooney, Gerry Goodwin and Robbie Walsh are joined by Michael Reddy and Brendan Rea on the list of definite absentees for the game, while Brian Arrigan is said to be struggling. If the visitors manage to cash in on their hosts' difficulties, it will be their first win in 25 games.
Elsewhere, Cobh will be without Willie Byrne and Anthony Kenneally for the trip to Whitehall - both players have groin strains. Sean Francis has a hamstring problem and may miss out too.
Longford have problems, too, with Vinny and Paul Perth suspended, while Michael Toland, Eric Saul and Paul Flanagan are all injured. In their absence, local teenagers John Rogers and Mark Malone are likely to get opportunities to impress against Monaghan who are themselves without Paul Hall and Robbie Best, both of whom have work commitments.
Fixtures: Home Farm Everton v Cobh Ramblers, Kilkenny City v St Francis, Longford Town v Monaghan United (all 7.30 this evening).
