Soccer/National League Previews: Despite having found their best form of the season, Bohemians player/manager Gareth Farrelly will be under no illusions about the task facing his side when they face champions Shelbourne at Dalymount Park tonight.
Coming from behind to win in Bray last week stretched Bohemians' unbeaten run to five games.
Having used the same 11 players, without substitutions, in the last two games, Farrelly must deal with the suspension of central defender Jimmy Aggrey. Likely replacement Terry Palmer having to prove his fitness doesn't help matters. Des Byrne stands by to move into central defence with James Keddy likely to replace him at left-back.
Player of the month Richie Baker remains sidelined with a hamstring strain for Shelbourne, while Jamie Harris slots into central defence in the absence of the suspended Colin Hawkins.
Should Shelbourne falter, Derry City have the chance to take over the leadership for the second week running in an interesting second-versus-third clash with Cork City at Turner's Cross.
Though Barry Molloy is close to a first-team recall following injury, Kenny could name an unchanged side for the fourth match running. Cork have goalkeeper Michael Devine back from suspension.
Waterford United left-back and captain John Frost returns from suspension as his side defend an unbeaten home record against Drogheda United.
Waterford player-manager, Alan Reynolds, is hoping Kevin Doherty can resume in central defence following a fortnight out with a hamstring strain. Striker Seán Finn also returns from injury, though winger Kevin Waters (knee) is a doubt.
Suspension deprives Drogheda of defender Graham Gartland and midfielder Sami Ristila. Stuart Malcolm and Jermaine Sandvlietare expected to be passed fit.
With a virus and then food poisoning having sidelined him in recent weeks, UCD defender Alan Mahon's luck hasn't changed as he is out for up to a further month as he needs keyhole surgery on a knee. The news gets no better for Alan's father and manager Pete Mahon ahead of the visit of Shamrock Rovers to Belfield as midfielder Anthony Murphy may also need an operation to repair a groin injury. Cathal O'Connor is suspended for Rovers who are also without fellow midfielder Stephen Caffrey (groin) and defender Steven Gough (Knee). Pole Michael Wolski vies to start at right back having served a two-match ban.
Longford must wait for fitness checks on captain Barry Ferguson, Danny O'Connor and Davy Byrne, but have John Martin back from suspension for their trip to St Patrick's Athletic.
Last Night: National League First Division: Dundalk 1 (McCarthy 91) Sligo Rvrs 2 (Flannery 15, Deans 90, og) Tonight's Fixtures: (7.45 unless stated) Premier Division: Bohemians v Shelbourne Cork City v Derry City St. Patrick's Athletic v Longford Town UCD v Shamrock Rovers Waterford United v Drogheda United (7.30) First Division Galway United v Kilkenny City (7.30) Limerick FC v Athlone Town
