The exodus got under way at Shamrock Rovers yesterday with Roddy Collins announcing that Brian McGovern, the former Norwich City defender currently on loan from Longford, has moved to Bray and Mark Rutherford is set to join St Patrick's Athletic after playing his last game for the Hoops tonight.
With Pat McCourt and Willo McDonagh both suspended for the trip to Flancare Park, Collins was struggling to assemble enough bodies to fill out the bench tonight and, in what looks to be a sign of things to come at the troubled club, the manager was attempting to sign and register a couple of youngsters from Belvedere in time for the game.
The 400 Club confirmed yesterday it has made a formal offer to the examiner to take control of Rovers. The organisation, which has been keeping the club afloat recently, now seems the most likely party to stage a takeover, though the hope is it will be in conjunction with accountant Ray Wilson, a lifelong supporter of Rovers.
Representatives of the supporters' group have already held talks with Fingal County Council about the possibility of the club returning to Santry Stadium for next summer, and its leading members are bullish about the prospects of greatly increasing the amount of commercial revenue being generated.
A win tonight would, of course, provide a considerable morale boost to all concerned after last week's hefty defeat by Finn Harps. Longford, though, have conceded just one goal in seven games and, even if they have dried up at the other end in the last couple of weeks, Alan Mathews's side start the evening as strong favourites.
Danny O'Connor is suspended for the home side, but Alan Murphy should be fit enough to start after missing Monday night's defeat at Shelbourne.
Harps, meanwhile, have Shane Bradley fully fit again, but Anthony Gorman is suspended. Neither started the 4-1 win over Rovers, however, and Felix Healy is likely to stick with the same 11 for tonight's game against St Patrick's Athletic. The Dubliners welcome back central defender Colm Foley after a calf strain.
WeekendFixtures
Saturday - Premier Division: Finn Harps v St Patrick's Ath (7.45); Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers (7.30). Sunday - First Division: Monaghan Utd v Sligo Rovers (3.0).
