John Caulfield admits that his Cork City side will have to improve on their preseason form if they are to go one better and lift the league title this October.

“Our team should be able to play better than last year,” he says, “but you just don’t know. We haven’t set the place alight in pre-season, but as I keep saying you don’t win anything in preseason; we have to go out and perform and that is the challenge for us.”

City travel to Sligo this evening for a match that will provide early evidence of how well equipped the two sides are to challenge for top spot. The visitors will be without John O’Flynn who is ill and Billy Dennehy who is suspended. Their hosts have Eoin Wearen suspended and Jeff Henderson out long-term with a foot injury.

Limerick will give a late test to Paul O'Conor whose calf strain has been a concern for the club's opener against Bohemians. Seán Russell and Colm Murphy are ruled out by illness and a hamstring injury respectively.

For Bohs, Derek Pender and Dean Kelly will be assessed but Dan Byrne and Dave Mulcahy are ruled out.

The first game of the day is at the Carlisle Grounds with Bray taking on Drogheda United while in the first division UCD travel to Cobh.