Shelbourne v Dundalk (7.45) - There's a good deal of disappointment within the Shelbourne camp after leaving Richmond Park empty-handed last week but despite the 3-2 defeat the feeling is that the team played well for long periods of the game. With Peter Hutton suspended there's no prospect of fielding an unchanged side but the return of Pat Fenlon from suspension means that the tinkering may be kept to a minimum although there is the possibility that Kevin Doherty may make the starting lineup. Martin Murray expects David Crawley to miss out due to a knee injury but Stephen McGuinness returns after suspension while James Keddy has shaken off an ankle problem picked up against Derry and may start against his former club. "We were dreadful against UCD a couple of weeks back but much better against Rovers last week when we probably created the better of the chances from play," says Murray. "Given that we have been unsettled up front that's not too bad really and if we can keep it solid at the back and take it from there I still feel things will get better for us."
Last two seasons: 00/01: Did not meet; 01/02: Dundalk 1 Shelbourne 1.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Geoghegan (five), R Baker (four); Dundalk: Robinson (three).
League form: Shelbourne: LLWWL; Dundalk: LWLLD.
Referee: J Stacey (Athlone)
Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town (7.45) - Damien Richardson's side continue to be the ones making the running and with the team maintaining their form despite injuries to important players suggests that there might be the depth in the squad to maintain the challenge for honours. Jason Colwell and Greg Costello are likely to be missing again due to lingering calf injuries and so Pat Deans and Shane Robinson should keep their places. Billy Woods is doubtful with a back problem while Tony Grant and Sean Francis are reckoned to be nearing match fitness again which might just present their manager with a rather pleasant dilemma.
Stephen Kenny continues to edge towards having a full squad to choose from with Keith O'Connor and Alan Reynolds both returning from suspension and Shay Zellor approaching full fitness following an ankle problem. Eric Molloy may also come into the frame for the trip to Richmond Park but Fergal Coleman is doubtful.
Last two seasons: 00/01: Rovers 3 Longford 2, Longford 2 Rovers 1, Rovers 3 Longford 1; 01/02: Longford 1 Rovers 2.
Leading scorers: Rovers: Francis (seven); Longford: Lavine (four), Kirby (three).
League form: Rovers: WLWWD; Longford: LWLLD.
Referee: A Kelly (Cork).
Galway United v Monaghan United (7.45) - Newly reinstalled Galway manager Tony Mannion laughs at the suggestion that this evening's clash with Monaghan is a six-pointer, insisting that "we could lose this one, win the rest and still qualify for Europe". The fact remains, though, that defeat tonight would leave either side in trouble at the foot of the table. Mannion's regular visits to Terryland means that he is reasonably au fait with the general strengths and weaknesses of the squad. "It'll be a while before I really get to know the players, though, and as of now I'm not sure how long I'm going to be there so, for the moment, we'll just have to get along as best we can," he says. Monaghan, as ever, have a string of problems with Eddie Meier (ankle), Trevor Vaughan (knee), Mick Scully (groin), Paul Shields (shin) and John Carroll (hamstring) all expected to miss out while Robbie Brunton and Ashley White are both suspended. An attempt to strengthen the panel by bringing in Ritchie Parsons from Bray Wanderers failed with Pat Devlin opting to keep the player.
Last two seasons: 00/01: Did not meet; 01/02: Monaghan 0 Galway 0.
Leading scorers: Galway: Murphy (two); Monaghan: Vaughan (three), McKenna (two).
League form: Galway: LDLLL; Monaghan: DLWLL. Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
