Soccer

St Patrick’s Athletic planning hot reception for Dundalk

Aspiring champions can expect tough Premier Division test at Richmond Park

St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Killian Brennan has designs on stalling the progress of high-flying Dundalk in tonight’s League of Ireland Premier Division game at Richmond Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Killian Brennan has designs on stalling the progress of high-flying Dundalk in tonight’s League of Ireland Premier Division game at Richmond Park. Photograph: Ryan Byrne/Inpho
Paul Buttner
Fri Sept 05 2014 - 01:00

Moving another step towards a first league title in 19 years will be something St Patrick's Athletic will be determined to prevent Dundalk taking at Richmond Park tonight.

Third in the table, 11 points behind the leaders with seven games to play, the current champions’ reign may be all but over. But having the champions-elect, who won 4-1 in Inchicore back in April, lording it over them would be tough to take.

"If they beat us tonight they would pretty much have the league won, I feel. So we don't want that," said St Patrick's midfielder Killian Brennan.

With Derek Foran and Ian Bermingham back from suspension, St Patrick's hope to be back to full strength.

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Cork City winger Billy Dennehy is struggling with a hamstring injury ahead of the visit of former club Shamrock Rovers to Turner's Cross in the night's other big game.

Rovers welcome midfielder Gary McCabe back from suspension but remain without the injured David O'Connor and Ryan Brennan.

A back injury again sidelines striker Rory Patterson as Derry City meet Sligo Rovers at the Brandywell. Former captain Clifford Byrne has left the club by mutual consent while midfielder Danny Ventre is out having had surgery on a knee.

Sligo are without suspended central defender Gavin Peers and John Russell is an injury doubt.

Captain Dave Mulcahy returns to Bohemians' midfield for the visit of Bray Wanderers to Dalymount Park. Steven Beattie remains suspended.

Suspension deprives Bray of Michael Barker, David Cassidy, Dave Scully and Ismahil Akinade as manager Alan Mathews also awaits the results of fitness checks on Adam Hanlon, Adam Mitchell, Eric McGill, Shane O'Neill and Philly Hughes.

Martin Russell will hope the experienced defensive trio of Samuel Oji, Stephen Folan and Robbie Williams, will be passed fit as he returns to UCD as Limerick manager.

Bottom side Athlone Town have Eric Foley back from suspension at Drogheda United, though injuries continue to sideline Aidan Collins, Stephen Quigley and Graham Rusk.

Ciarán McGuigan and Gavin Brennan are suspended for Drogheda.