Series 35 Preview

Bohemians v Longford Town

Sean Connor now has to raise the morale of his side following last week's non-performance in the FAI Ford Cup semi-final clash with Cork City. Ironically, they face City's opponents in the decider, and both sides will be fully focussed on collecting three points. The Gypsys must win their remaining games and hope that the Saints slip up in order to secure UEFA Cup football next term. Longford's targets are less salubrious; they face the same imperative as their hosts, but are targeting second last spot as opposed to second. Alan Matthews' squad will be enhanced by the return of his cup-tied duo of Colm James and Sean Kelly; However Ian Ryan is suspended. The hosts boast a full complement, save for the long term absentee Thomas Heary on what will be an emotional evening for Feargal Harkin - the Bohs favourite makes his final appearance at Dalymount Park after 10 years with the Phibsboro club.

Previous meetings:
Longford Town 3-0 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2007 4 Aug 07 ->>
Bohemians 5-0 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2007 11 May 07 ->>
Longford Town 3-0 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 4 Nov 06 ->>
Bohemians 0-1 Longford Town Eircom League Premier Division 2006 4 Aug 06 ->>
Longford Town 3-1 Bohemians Eircom League Premier Division 2006 6 May 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Bohs 4/7
Draw 12/5
Longford 9/2

Bohemians:WWWWW
Longford:LLDWW
Referee Alan Kelly


Derry City v Shamrock Rovers

Derry's long list of absentees is challenged ably by Rovers, who will field without Ger Rowe, Eric McGill, Alan Reynolds, Paul Shiels, John Martin, Padraig Amond and Aidan Price. Neither side have acquitted themselves well in recent outings - the Candystripes have collected just two of the last twenty-one points on offer, while the Hoops managed to stop a run of four consecutive defeats last week. With Buzzer Rowe suspended and Tadhg Purcell struggling with a groin problem their run of five games without a goal may well be stretched here, although Pat Scully's side still harbour fading hopes of an Intertoto spot. A must win game for the visitors; another must get it out of the way game for City.

Previous meetings:
Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Derry City Eircom League Premier Division 2007 4 Aug 07 ->>
Derry City 1-0 Shamrock Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 14 May 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Derry 11/10
Draw 2/1
Rovers 9/4

Derry:LDDLL
Rovers:LLLLD
Referee Damien Hancock

Drogheda United v Bray Wanderers

There's unfinished business to be completed at both ends of the table in United Park on Friday; never before has a Drogheda United captain raised the Premier Division trophy aloft ( never before for that matter, has any captain raised this trophy aloft, as it's a new one!) and that historical event will take place alongside Bray's attempt to swerve a relegation play-off. The Seagulls are but two points better off than eleventh-placed Waterford United but at least have their destiny in their own hands. The sore heads should be in better shape by now and Paul Doolin will be demanding a win to mark the occasion. Paul Caffrey and Mark Duggan are non-runners for the visitors while Ray Kenny is suspended; Clive Delaney, Stephen Fox and Paddy Kavanagh face late fitness tests.

Previous meetings:
Bray Wanderers 1-2 Drogheda Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2007 6 Aug 07 ->>
Drogheda Utd 4-1 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 26 Jun 07 ->>
Drogheda Utd 1-1 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 22 Sep 06 ->>
Bray Wanderers 0-1 Drogheda Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2006 2 Jul 06 ->>
Drogheda Utd 1-0 Bray Wanderers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 31 Mar 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Drogs 8/13
Draw 12/5
Bray 4/1

Drogheda:WWWWD
Bray:DDDDL
Referee Declan Hanney

UCD v St. Patrick's Athletic

Following the disappointment of their cup dismissal last weekend UCD could be forgiven for coveting a handy game this weekend. It will be anything but as the Saints come to Belfield in search of the points needed to secure second spot in the table. With five wins from their last six games, Pats are a side in top form and the Students will require a huge effort to raise their efforts in order to pick up the points necessary to safeguard their presence in next season's Premier Division. John McDonnell and his staff will be mindful of the fact that they have failed to defeat Pete Mahon's side in each of their last five attempts.

Previous meetings:
St Patricks Athletic 1-1 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2007 6 Aug 07 ->>
UCD 2-2 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2007 11 May 07 ->>
St Patricks Athletic 0-1 UCD Eircom League Cup 2007 7 May 07 ->>
UCD 0-0 St Patricks Athletic Eircom League Premier Division 2006 8 Sep 06 ->>
St Patricks Athletic 0-0 UCD Eircom League Premier Division 2006 23 Jun 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
UCD 5/2
Draw 9/4
Pats 10/11

UCD:DLDLL
Pats:WLWWW
Referee Paul Tuite

Waterford United v Galway United

Undoubtedly the crunch tie of the weekend in the top division with both of these sides sailing close to the relegation blade. Waterford's woeful goal difference may well be their downfall, even if they do manage to rein one of their targets in. Both sides are on similar formpaths, although the Blues hold psychological sway with victories in both previous encounters this year. John Sullivan returns from suspension for the visitors, with Greg O'Halloran sitting this week's game out. Daryl Robson is injured, but the return of John Fitzgerald provides a boost for the visitors. Meanwhile Gareth Cronin welcomes Vinny Sullivan back from his brief injury absence; unfortunately for the Blues Karl Bermingham has suffered a recurrence of his ankle injury and is very doubtful, while Alan Mulcahy serves a ban.
Previous meetings:
Galway Utd 1-2 Waterford United Eircom League Premier Division 2007 3 Aug 07 ->>
Waterford United 1-0 Galway Utd Eircom League Premier Division 2007 11 May 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Waterford 5/4
Draw 2/1
Galway 2/1

Waterford:LWDWD
Galway:LWLDW
Referee Anthony Buttimer

Sligo Rovers v Cork City

Sligo Rovers have been something of a bogey team for Cork City this season; that 4-1 defeat at the Showgies will burn long in the minds of the Leesiders. Damian Richardson will be hoping that his squad can build upon last week's impressive showing; three league games without a win has seen his slide slip from pole position to pessimistic hopefuls in the race for the runner-up position. Gareth Farrelly's return may not provide the selection headache anticipated for el Rico- Joe Gamble's suspension leaves a berth vacant in midfield. With Shamrock Rovers breathing on their shirt collars City can ill afford to ease up at this stage, and will be hoping for a charitable performance from the tumbling Bit O'Red. They did manage to stop the rot after four defeats on the bounce with last week's scoreless draw at the aforementioned Hoops. Seamie Coleman returns from a ban for the hosts, but Daniel Ventre must stay seated following his recent red card at Waterford.

Previous meetings:
Cork City 1-2 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2007 3 Aug 07 ->>
Sligo Rovers 4-1 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2007 12 May 07 ->>
Cork City 2-0 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 20 Oct 06 ->>
Sligo Rovers 0-3 Cork City Eircom League Premier Division 2006 12 Sep 06 ->>
Cork City 2-0 Sligo Rovers Eircom League Premier Division 2006 2 May 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Sligo 12/5
Draw 12/5
Cork 10/11

Sligo:LLLLD
Cork:WWDLL
Referee Dave McKeon

Finn Harps v Athlone Town

Harps' record of thirteen wins from fourteen games would suggest to Athlone Town that there is no point in turning up to Finn Park for Friday's televised offering. Strangely, with their season petering out into midtable anonymity, the Midlanders have scooped up seven of the last nine points offered them - the TV cameras often bring out the best in sides, although just scoring against the leaders is proving a difficult enough task. The visitors have not supped from the chalice of success at Finn Park for 15 years! The combination of solid defence and potent attack underscores Harps' tremendous surge to the summit and there is a huge weight of expectation on the shoulders of Paul Hegarty's men. Paul McTiernan's red card in midweek rules him out for the visitors, while the hosts welcome Tony Shields' return from a ban.

Previous meetings:
Athlone Town 1-0 Finn Harps Eircom League First Division 2007 1 Sep 07 ->>
Finn Harps 2-0 Athlone Town Eircom League First Division 2007 29 Jun 07 ->>
Athlone Town 2-2 Finn Harps Eircom League First Division 2007 28 Apr 07 ->>
Athlone Town 2-1 Finn Harps Eircom League First Division 2006 22 Sep 06 ->>
Athlone Town 1-1 Finn Harps Ford FAI Cup 2006 29 Aug 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Harps 2/9
Draw 4/1
Athlone 9/1

Harps:WWWWW
Athlone:LLWDW
Referee Derek Tomney

Limerick 37 v Shelbourne

A fourth place finish would represent an acceptable season for either of these sides following difficult preparations for varying reasons early on in the year. The hosts hold both the point and positional advantage and a draw will cement their finishing spot. It's been honours even so far for two sides with recently inconsistent records, although Paul McGee's side will welcome the opportunity to avenge the 4-0 pasting they received when the pair last met at Tolka Park. Noel Haverty is on U19 duty with Ireland, while James Hussey's return is not imminent. Wayne Colbert is suspended for the visitors, but Paul McGee will be in the dugout as his appeal to a hefty fine and accompanying suspension is pending.

Previous meetings:
Shelbourne 4-0 Limerick 37 Eircom League First Division 2007 1 Sep 07 ->>
Limerick 37 3-2 Shelbourne Eircom League First Division 2007 29 Jun 07 ->>
Shelbourne 1-1 Limerick 37 Eircom League First Division 2007 27 Apr 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Lims 5/4
Draw 9/4
Shels 7/4

Lims:WLLWL
Shels:LDWLL
Referee Hugo Whoriskey


Wexford Youths v Dundalk

Wexford hauled themselves from the basement with last week's fine win in the Marble City; they will be intent on maintaining their elevated status against a Dundalk side stuck in a pregnant pause. The Lilywhites incurred the wrath of boss John Gill following last week's abject effort and Gill must use the next couple of games to restore his side to the competitive level required if they are to succeed against the vanquished in the First Division title race. Especially displeased with Dundalk's defensive display last time out, we can expect changes in the back four; that said, Dundalk have scored nine without reply in the previous three games between the pair this year. David Crawley and Keith Dunne return from suspension for the visitors, although Paul Marney serves a one-game ban. Wexford will be hoping to have Eric Bradley back from his hamstring injury, especially as midfield dynamo Paul Malone misses the final games of the season through suspension - Ben Brosnan keeps him company this week.

Previous meetings:
Dundalk 2-0 Wexford Youths Eircom League First Division 2007 30 Aug 07 ->>
Wexford Youths 0-3 Dundalk Eircom League First Division 2007 30 Jun 07 ->>
Dundalk 4-0 Wexford Youths Eircom League First Division 2007 26 Apr 07 ->>

Stan James Prices
Wexford 5/2
Draw 9/4
Dundalk 10/11

Wexford:DLLLW
Dundalk:WWWLL
Referee Tom Connolly

Kildare County v Kilkenny City

This duo have struggled to put good results back to back of late, but both are due one to maintain the sequence this week. Kildare can at least point to the fact that they lost to the league leaders, while the Cats were collapsing at home to Wexford Youths. Little to inspire here. Eoghan Carew is due back from a ban for the Thoroughbreds, Michael Comerford likewise for City.

Previous meetings:
Kilkenny City 1-1 Kildare County Eircom League First Division 2007 1 Sep 07 ->>
Kildare County 3-3 Kilkenny City Eircom League First Division 2007 30 Jun 07 ->>
Kildare County 0-1 Kilkenny City Ford FAI Cup 2007 17 Jun 07 ->>
Kilkenny City 3-3 Kildare County Eircom League First Division 2007 27 Apr 07 ->>
Kildare County 2-1 Kilkenny City Eircom League First Division 2006 11 Nov 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Kildare 4/5
Draw 9/4
Kilkenny 3/1

Kildare:WLWLL
Kilkenny:WDLWL
Referee Ed McNally

Cobh Ramblers v Monaghan United

Nothing less than three points will suffice for the hosts as they continue their battle for supremacy with Finn Harps. A poor record in their three previous clashed for the Mons suggests that this should be a formality for the hosts. Mons' Barry Burke is suspended, while John Kearney is available after serving his ban for the Rams.

Previous meetings:
Monaghan Utd 0-4 Cobh Ramblers Eircom League First Division 2007 1 Sep 07 ->>
Cobh Ramblers 3-0 Monaghan Utd Eircom League First Division 2007 30 Jun 07 ->>
Monaghan Utd 1-2 Cobh Ramblers Eircom League First Division 2007 29 Apr 07 ->>
Cobh Ramblers 2-1 Monaghan Utd Eircom League First Division 2006 14 Oct 06 ->>
Monaghan Utd 0-0 Cobh Ramblers Eircom League First Division 2006 13 Aug 06 ->>

Stan James Prices
Cobh 1/4
Draw 7/2
Mons 9/1

Cobh:LWWWW
Mons:LLLWD
Referee Ray Rogers