National league previews

Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic (Tolka Park, 7.45)

Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic (Tolka Park, 7.45)

Having had their cup dream ended on Friday night Rovers are hoping to grab a place in Europe by making a late charge in the league. At the moment it looks fairly implausible but a defeat by St Patrick's this evening would effectively end the club's season.

Billy Woods misses the game through suspension while Terry Palmer is struggling after picking up a groin strain during the cup game. Tommy Dunne will come in for the left back while Pat Deans would be the replacement for Palmer in the event that he is deemed unfit to start. Marc Kenny, meanwhile, might be brought back in.

The visitors, who could have gone top had they won this game a week ago now find themselves back in what once again looks like a scrap for second place. They have a full squad to choose from but the main question will be the extent to which Pat Dolan opts to change things in the wake of the hammering by Finn Harps and whether Colm Foley is judged to be fit enough to start.

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Last two seasons: 99/00: St Patrick's 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 2 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 0 Rovers 0; 00/01: Rovers 1 St Patrick's 2, St Patrick's 0 St Patrick's 0 Rovers 1.

Last five league games: Rovers: WWDLD; St Patrick's: WDWWL.

Leading league scorers: Rovers: Francis (12); St Patrick's: Kelly (11).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Bohemians v Bray Wanderers (7.45)

If this goes the way of the three previous meetings between the two sides this season then the home side can look forward to a fairly comfortable win. Form, though, narrowly favours Bray, however, who have won four of their last five and managed to end their poor away run at Rovers a couple of weeks ago.

The visitors bring almost their full panel to Dublin's northside for the game although Wes Charles is expected to miss out with a calf strain while Maurice Farrell is still doubtful due to a bout of the flu. If the latter does miss out then Philip Keogh is likely to revert to left back with Eddie Gormley possibly benefiting from the gap in midfield.

Fresh from the semi-final defeat of Rovers, Bohemians welcome back Simon Webb (suspended) and Paul Byrne (cup-tied) to their squad and both are likely to start in their customary positions with Jimmy Fullam and Dave Morrison possibly losing out.

Last two seasons: 99/00: Did not meet; 00/01: Bohemians 3 Wanderers 1, Wanderers 3 Bohemians 1.

Last five league games: Bohemians: DLWLW; Wanderers: WDWWW.

Leading league scorers: Bohemians: Crowe (21); Wanderers: Tresson (11).

Referee: D O'Hanlon (Waterford).

First division: Striker Derek McCarthy ensured maximum points for Limerick FC from their Easter programme with a 10th minute winner against Drogheda United at Hogan Park yesterday.

McCarthy had also been on target in their single goal win over Cobh Ramblers on Friday night.

Bottom-of-the-table Drogheda never looked like salvaging anything from this low-key affair and will be hoping for better luck when the sides meet again at the weekend.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times