Sport

Doolin's Drogheda aiming to claim Premier Division top spot

A return to important domestic action tomorrow evening will quickly help both Drogheda United and Derry City focus fully again…

Paul Buttner
Sat Jul 15 2006 - 01:00

A return to important domestic action tomorrow evening will quickly help both Drogheda United and Derry City focus fully again on their battle at the top of the Premier Division after their heroics in Europe.

Drogheda come right back down to earth from their rousing 1-1 draw at HJK Helsinki with a visit to Belfield to take on UCD, while Derry host Longford Town following their performance of the week in beating IFK Gothenburg in Sweden.

"If you weren't fighting on a league front you'd take going to UCD," said Drogheda goalkeeper Dan Connor, who dramatically saved a second half penalty in Finland. "When you play a lot of games you develop a mental strength. We're going to Belfield to win.

"Paul (Doolin) has spoken about consistency if you are going to win the league. You have to turn up for every match. I don't think there has been any match this season when we've all under-performed.

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"We've all played to a good level and that comes from training day-in day-out and things being done properly."

With leaders Cork City having had their rescheduled game with Bray Wanderers today postponed to give them a breather ahead of their trip to Cyprus next week, Drogheda can go top of the table if they beat a UCD side ravaged by injuries.

College manager Pete Mahon is missing eight players who have played in the first team this season, including key men, captain Tony McDonnell, Alan Mahon and Paul Byrne.

Derry wait on their captain Peter Hutton who hurt a knee in Gothenburg while influential midfielder Ciaran Martyn is also unlikely to start due to the shoulder ligament injury that restricted him to a late substitute's role in that game.

Longford will hope to take advantage of any Derry hangover despite being without goalkeeper Shay Kelly (back), midfielder Davy Byrne (thigh) and striker Dave Mooney as they look for a much-improved performance following last week's dismal display in losing 2-0 at home to Cork.

WeekendFixtures

Tonight (7.30 unless stated)

First Division: Cobh Ramblers v Shamrock Rovers (7.45) Finn Harps v Dundalk (7.45) Kilkenny City v Galway Utd.

Sunday (3.0 unless stated)

Premier Division: Derry City v Longford Town (6.0) UCD v Drogheda United (7.0).

First Division: Monaghan Utd v Kildare County.