Series 34 Preview

Dundalk v Limerick 37

The Lilywhites have cemented their place in the promotion play-off semi-final and realistically it's all about keeping things ticking over while they await the outcome of the duel between Finn Harps and Cobh Ramblers. Shaun Williams continues to build up his match fitness in anticipation of greater things to come for the Louthmen. They will take to the field without the suspended duo of Keith Dunne and David Crawley, while Ben Whelehan and Kevin McArdle are still nursing injuries. Thomas McGauley is available after his one game ban as the home side seek to stretch a run of almost 600 minutes without conceding on the plastic pitch. The visitors have little but pride to play for as their season fizzles out. They are not troubled by suspension but are without Brian Buckley, Paul Finucane and Darren Harrington for various reasons. Without an away victory since July of this year, it seems they may be wasting their money on the busfare.

Previous meetings:
Limerick 37 4-1 Dundalk Eircom League First Division 2007 24 Aug 07 ->>
Dundalk 0-0 Limerick 37 Eircom League First Division 2007 26 Jun 07 ->>
Limerick 37 0-1 Dundalk Eircom League First Division 2007 20 Apr 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Dundalk 1/2
Draw 5/2
Limerick 5/1

Dundalk:WWWWL
Limerick:DLWLL
Referee Derek Tomney

Bohemians v Cork City

The first of this weekend's televised cup semi-finals brings the heavy-hitters out at Dalymount Park. Bohs come into this game in flying form and will be keen to avoid a replay at the Cross. That's not to say we can expect a feast of freeflowing, attacking, football from the home side who have come into their best form of the campaign in recent games. The loss of Stephen O'Donnell, Des Byrne and Liam Burns through suspension may suggest a threadbare look to the side, but there is enough depth in the Gypsys' squad to absorb their loss. Joxer Kelly is an unlikely participant - Harpal Singh's recent performances should negate his absence. Cork have almost a full squad to select from, but will need to step their defensive performance level up a gear following consecutive defeats against Drogheda and the Saints on their last two outings.

Previous meetings:
Bohemians 2-1 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2007 10 Aug 07 ->>
Bohemians 2-2 Cork City Eircom League Cup 2007 3 Jul 07 ->>
Cork City 2-1 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2007 18 May 07 ->>
Cork City 1-0 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 15 Sep 06 ->>
Bohemians 0-0 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 27 Jun 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Bohs 5/4
Draw 2/1
Cork 2/1

Bohemians:WWWWW
Cork:WWDLL
Referee Damien Hancock

UCD v Longford Town

UCD have been preening themselves in anticipation of this game for a couple of weeks now and should be well prepared if nothing else. It will be interesting to see if Pete Mahon reinstates Paul Byrne to the starting eleven; we have seen little of the player who was the Students' top scorer before his prolonged injury absence. Alternatively, PM may opt for the five-man midfield formation which has served his side well this term, with Ronan Finn behind Conor Sammon. Shane Fitzgerald's gazellian traits have been kept in cotton wool since he picked up a hamstring injury and he may well figure. Shane McFaul was injured against Bohemians last Monday but is unlikely to be kept out for such a crunch game. Longford have been concentrating on Premier Division survival and back to back wins will have reignited their self-belief. Alan Matthews' already lean squad is further trimmed by the absence of Sean Kelly, Ian Ryan and Colm James who are cup-tied. Sean Prunty shipped a heavy knock against Bray last Monday and will do well to play any part at Belfield.

Previous meetings:
UCD 0-1 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2007 19 Oct 07 ->>
Longford Town 1-0 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2007 21 Jul 07 ->>
UCD 2-2 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2007 27 Apr 07 ->>
UCD 3-1 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2006 10 Nov 06 ->>
Longford Town 0-0 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2006 12 Aug 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
UCD 11/8
Draw 2/1
Longford 7/4

UCD:DLDLL
Longford:LLDWW
Referee Anthony Buttimer

Galway United v Derry City

This is one of three cup-finals for the Galwegians between now until the end of the campaign - the only positive for Tony Cousins' side that their destiny is within their own gift. Win all three and they swerve the relegation scenarios; a win against a Derry City side which has all but shut up shop for the year would be a good start. Unfortunately for the hosts they have the worst home record in the division but have not been beaten in league action by the Candystripes this season. That said, Derry City field without ten of their senior players and with just eleven fit first teamers will be trawling the U21's for back-up. Alan Moore, Ola Tidman, Dave McEwen, Sean Hargan, Ken Oman, Mark McChrystal, Ciaran Martyn, Pat McCourt, Gary Beckett and Sammy Morrow comprise the list of unfit Candystripes. Daryl Robson and Shaun Fagan should return for Galway, but John Russell serves a ban. It's difficult to know who will take the field for the visitors such has been the injury list recently and John Robertson has been making use of his fringe players in these nothing games for the Foylesiders.

Previous meetings:
Derry City 0-0 Galway Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2007 29 Jul 07 ->>
Derry City 2-1 Galway Utd Eircom League Cup 2007 8 May 07 ->>
Galway Utd 1-1 Derry City Eircom League Premier Division 2007 4 May 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Galway 11/8
Draw 2/1
Derry 7/4

Galway:LLWLD
Derry:LLDDL
Referee Declan Hanney

Waterford United v Drogheda United

Drogheda have been supping from the fruits of their success this week and may not be fully focussed on the task ahead; at least that's what fans of the Blues will be hoping for. Stuart Byrne and Eamon Zayed have flu, while both Brian Shelley and James Keddy are doubtful and Richie Baker's absence continues. Meanwhile, Robbie Hedderman is suspended for the hosts who have collected seven points from the last nine on offer; Gareth Cronin reckons he can cover Hedderman's loss and welcomes the return to fitness of striker Karl Bermingham .Paul Doolin may opt to give some of his faithful squad members a night under the floodlights as a thank you for their patience - they'll still make formidable opposition for a side scrambling for points.

Previous meetings:
Drogheda Utd 3-0 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2007 27 Jul 07 ->>
Waterford United 1-1 Drogheda Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2007 4 May 07 ->>
Drogheda Utd 1-0 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2006 17 Nov 06 ->>
Waterford United 2-3 Drogheda Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2006 18 Aug 06 ->>
Drogheda Utd 4-0 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2006 19 May 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Waterford 6/4
Draw 11/5
Drogs 6/4

Waterford:DLWDW
Drogheda:WWWWW
Referee Alan Kelly

Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers

Two sides who are running on empty will most likely not produce the fireworks seen at Tolka when the visitors ended the Hoops' FAI Cup ambitions. The Hoops have conceded an unprecedented eleven goals without reply in their last four games; to put that statistic in some perspective, Pat Scully's side had conceded just 14 times in their previous twenty six outings. Watch out for flying wheels in the vicinity of Tolka Park. Paul Cook has acknowledged that he has had to go to the well once too often with his jaded players; although such pronouncements offer players a readymade excuse to my mind. Barry Ferguson and Ger O'Brien will restore some stability to the hosts' rearguard, while David Cassidy returns from a ban also. The visitors will be without both first choice full backs with recent Irish U21 cap Seamus Coleman and Daniel Ventre - not a recent Irish U21 cap- serving suspensions. Not expected to be one for the neutrals.

Previous meetings:
Sligo Rovers 2-0 Shamrock Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 27 Jul 07 ->>
Shamrock Rovers 2-3 Sligo Rovers Ford FAI Cup 2007 16 Jun 07 ->>
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 4 May 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Shamrock R 10/11
Draw 9/4
Sligo 5/2

Shamrock R:WLLLL
Sligo:WLLLL
Referee Richie Winter

Finn Harps v Kildare County

A packed house will roar the Harps onto what their fans are hoping will be a First Division Championship as the momentum builds around Finn Park. Tony Shields serves out his 2 game ban for the visit of the Thoroughbreds, who are without Darren Stapleton themselves but have Eoghan Carew returning from suspension. Philip Byrne picked up a calf injury - no he wasn't involved in an incident with a young cow - last time out and is not expected to figure, but County will be boosted buy the return of striker Philly Gorman. Harps are the only side with the destiny of the title in their own hands and you just cant see them slipping up here. Disclaimer: Football's a funny old game.

Previous meetings:
Kildare County 0-3 Finn Harps Eircom League First Division 2007 25 Aug 07 ->>
Finn Harps 2-0 Kildare County Eircom League First Division 2007 26 Jun 07 ->>
Kildare County 1-0 Finn Harps Eircom League First Division 2007 21 Apr 07 ->>
Finn Harps 3-1 Kildare County Eircom League First Division 2006 30 Sep 06 ->>
Kildare County 1-3 Finn Harps Eircom League First Division 2006 29 Jul 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Harps 1/4
Draw 7/2
Kildare 9/1

Harps:WWWWW
Kildare:LWLWL
Referee Tom Connolly

Shelbourne v Cobh Ramblers

Following an impressive burst of form in the slipstream of the transfer window, Shelbourne have become somewhat wayward, but still have enough about them to trouble the top sides. This is a tricky assignment for Cobh on a weekend when their rivals look set to pick up maximum points. The Reds have beaten Dundalk and held the Rams at Tolka, but managed just a scoreless draw against Kilkenny City on their last outing in Drumcondra. Dermot Keely's side welcome the suspended trio of Jim Crawford, Stuart Malcolm, Anto Flood and James Chambers - nevertheless Dermot Keely has indicated that he will be giving some of his U21's a taste of first team action. James Hussey and Noel Haverty are both out for the Reds, while Cobh will field without the suspended John Kearney. Nothing but a win will do for the visitors who have conceded just six times on the road this season.

Previous meetings:
Cobh Ramblers 1-1 Shelbourne Eircom League First Division 2007 25 Aug 07 ->>
Shelbourne 2-2 Cobh Ramblers Eircom League First Division 2007 26 Jun 07 ->>
Cobh Ramblers 1-0 Shelbourne Eircom League First Division 2007 21 Apr 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Shels 3/1
Draw 9/4
Cobh 4/5

Shels:WLDWL
Cobh:DLWWW
Referee Hugo Whoriskey

Athlone Town v Monaghan United

There's little at stake between this pair who lie safely shoulder to shoulder in the nether regions of the First Division. It's been pretty much honours even in their three previous encounters and both sides had impressive wins last week. The visitors have no suspension worries, while Barry Burke continues to serve his ban for Mons. There are injury doubts concerning some of Mick Cooke's squad - Alvin Rouse and Willie Doyle primarily, while Peter Darcy, Stephen Finnegan and Jason McCartney will not figure again this term.

Previous meetings:
Monaghan Utd 1-0 Athlone Town Eircom League First Division 2007 24 Aug 07 ->>
Athlone Town 0-0 Monaghan Utd Eircom League First Division 2007 26 Jun 07 ->>
Monaghan Utd 0-2 Athlone Town Eircom League First Division 2007 20 Apr 07 ->>
Athlone Town 2-2 Monaghan Utd Eircom League First Division 2006 10 Nov 06 ->>
Monaghan Utd 1-0 Athlone Town Eircom League First Division 2006 12 Sep 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Athlone 5/4
Draw 9/4
Mons 7/4

Athlone:WDLLW
Mons:LLLLW
Referee Padraigh Sutton

Kilkenny City v Wexford Youths

The battle to avoid the wooden spoon takes centre stage in Buckley Park this weekend. The Cats responded to their mauling by Cobh with a fine win in Limerick last weekend and that was enough to lift them off the bottom. In relative terms it would be a great coup for the Youths were they to finish above anybody in their novice season - there would be much merriment in the wine bar - they've collected just three points from the last twenty-seven on offer and if they are going to collect another maximum haul it has to be here. They have already defeated the Cats on their home turf this term. The visitors have no new injury problems; Aaron Ryan has served his ban and returns along with Thomas Hughes. Derek Comerford is also back from the Defence Forces World Games thingy, but has walked straight into a ban.

Previous meetings:
Wexford Youths 3-0 Kilkenny City Eircom League First Division 2007 25 Aug 07 ->>
Kilkenny City 0-1 Wexford Youths Eircom League First Division 2007 26 Jun 07 ->>
Wexford Youths 0-1 Kilkenny City Eircom League First Division 2007 22 Apr 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Kilkenny 5/4
Draw 9/4
Wexford 7/4

Kilkenny:LWDLW
Wexford:DDLLL
Referee Tomasz Superczynski