After finally seizing what seems a decisive advantage over their rivals in what has been a thrilling title race, Shelbourne can spare the league's top brass the trouble of dusting off some minor piece of silverware next week by wrapping things up at Tolka Park tonight.

A win over Cork combined with a defeat for Bohemians in Drogheda would kick off the celebrations in Drumcondra with Pat Fenlon's side guaranteed to finish top regardless of how they get on in their last two games. Even a draw for Bohemians at 0₂ Park, however, will push the tussle for first place, and the Champions League place that comes with it, into next week and possibly to next Sunday when Merrion Square officials, having displayed an admirable knack for getting it wrong in the past, will have to decide where to send the real league trophy and what to send to the day's other championship-deciding game.

Bohemians boss Stephen Kenny has seen a one-point lead transformed into a four-point deficit over the past seven days and goes into this evening's game in Drogheda knowing his side need to assert themselves and hope Cork, Longford and Shamrock Rovers can do his men some favours during the week and a half ahead.

"It's out of our hands," he said yesterday, "so all we can do is go for maximum points and hope the other results are favourable."

Stranger things have happened and, for that matter, happened to Shelbourne late on in recent campaigns but the fact Bohemians are without their inspirational captain Kevin Hunt, who is suspended, as well as leading scorer Glen Crowe and Thomas Heary, both of whom are injured, will hardly help to lift spirits after Monday's controversial home draw with Longford.

Still looking to make sure of their Premier Division status, Drogheda have an unchanged pool of players from Monday, when they were beaten 2-0 by Shelbourne, with Pat Scully the chief absentee due to suspension.

The leaders, meanwhile, have a full squad to choose from for the visit of Cork City, who deprived them of the title by winning at Tolka Park a couple of years ago.

"We haven't beaten them in the league this year," says Fenlon, "so we're hardly in a position to assume we're going to this time but the lads know that the main thing is just to stay focused on going for the three points in every game. If you stop doing that and start worrying about what anybody else is then you can find yourself in trouble very quickly. I saw Cork play at Dalymount a few weeks ago when they made it very difficult for Bohemians and we'll be expecting more of the same in this game but they're all tough at this time of the season."

Cork City, meanwhile, have Kevin Doyle and Liam Kearney away on international duty with the Republic of Ireland under-20s while Ryan Casey is a doubt due to the flu. Back from suspension are Kevin Murray and Colin T O'Brien.

UCD go to Richmond Park still in the hunt for the play-off place even if, as manager Pete Mahon observes, a couple of missed opportunities in drawn games they should perhaps have won has meant eighth place looks to be beyond them. Mahon will have to cope without three of his four midfielders as Tony McDonnell, Alan Cawley and Mick O'Donnell are suspended. Robbie Griffin, Hugh Davey and Alan Gallen are the likely replacements although Mahon admits if Robert McAuley misses out because of a neck injury then he will have some thinking to do. The hosts have doubts about the fitness of Paul Osam, Colm Foley, Davy Byrne (all knee) and Tony Bird (groin).

Waterford, who are aiming for fourth place, head for Longford, who retain some hope of finishing third. Waterford are without David Breen and Dave Mulcahy (both suspended) while Kevin Waters is out. John Frost remains a doubt with a hamstring problem. Vinny Sullivan, John Hayes and Brian Mallin all start.

The hosts are no better fixed, however, with Stephen Paisley and Seán Dillon off to the UAE with the under-20s, Vinny Perth suspended and Darragh Sheridan as well as Seán Prunty injured.

PLAYING TONIGHT (7.45 unless stated)

Drogheda Utd v Bohemians (8.0); Longford Town v Waterford (8.0); Shelbourne v Cork City; St Patrick's Athletic v UCD.