Saturday
Cork City v UCD
Despite losing in the end, Dave Barry insists that he is happy with the way that his players performed at Tolka Park last week when they created a string of chances in the second half but simply couldn't put away the couple required to get something out of the game.
"Overall I was very happy," says Barry "and I think with the players that we have we are going to create a lot around the box in most of our games. The only thing that I felt was disappointing, though, was their goal in the first half because for them to come in level after we'd taken the lead and been playing well probably gave them the lift that ended up costing us the match."
One of the success stories for the southerners on the night was the performance of Patsy Freyne in his new role of striker. Playing off Pat Morley the veteran ran like a teenager for the bulk of the evening and went close on several occasions to finding the net himself.
This week, however, Freyne is likely to miss out with an ankle injury picked up during that game having prevented him from training all week. Barry is pessimistic about his chances of recovering in time which means that John Cotter, John Caulfield or Gerard Dobbs will come in to partner Morely but Dave Hill (shoulder ligaments) is rated as a far better prospect to start.
The students, meanwhile, must wait on Brian Mooney (flu) but Theo Dunne has Alan Mahon and Aidan Lynch completely fit again for this afternoon. "It'll be tough and whoever plays, they'll know that they'll have to work hard if we're to get anything out of an away game to Cork," says Dunne. "But we haven't done too badly against City over the last few years and we'll go there looking to get something this time too."
Last season: UCD 0 City 1, City 1 UCD 2, UCD 2 City 2.
Recent league form: City: WLWWL, UCD: WDDLW.
Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 12/5, Away: 9/2.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Finn Harps v Derry City
The pressure continues to mount for Charlie McGeever who doesn't rule out going if his team slumps to another defeat this evening. "More than the result, it would be the feeling that maybe things had gotten out of control that would make me walk away," he says "and while things obviously have to start happening pretty quickly there have been some positive signs over the last two and a half games."
The attempts to add a biggish striker continue to come to nothing for Harps with Stephen Grant having gone to Waterford after his one game at Finn Park and Paul Wilkinson still unable to complete his move back to Ireland.
On the injury front things are probably better now than at any point since the start of the campaign so the midfield should have a more settled look about it this evening but it is up front that the spark has to be rediscovered if the revival is to start this evening.
On the face of it City should make matters worse for McGeever. Their record against Harps over the years is quite remarkable with just three competitive defeats in more than 30 meetings while, obviously, they have made the stronger start to the current campaign.
Last week, however, City were pretty poor themselves and Kevin Mahon must find a way of getting his players to lift their game after what have been a disappointing couple of weeks.
Shaun Gallagher and Joe Harkin are still ruled out by long term injuries while Liam Coyle hasn't trained due to a knee injury and Sean Hargan has been troubled by a groin strain. Hargan may well be okay by this evening but Coyle is felt to be extremely doubtful.
Last season: City 2 Harps 1, Harps 2 City 2, City 1 Harps 0.
Recent league form: Harps: LLLLL, City: WWWLL.
Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Sunday
Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers
Motoring nicely after our wins in five outings, Damien Richardson's options are slightly more attractive this weekend with at least one and possibly three recognised strikers due to return from injury.
Tony Cousins' knee injury has been clearing up well over the past week and he looks virtually certain to play some part in the match but Brian Byrne (knee) is also close to being match fit while Sean Francis (hamstring) is close enough to warrant a test shortly before tomorrow's kick-off.
On the down side Gino Brazil (hamstring) is out while Marc Kenny (groin) and Shane Jackson (hamstring) are both doubtful. The young centre-half is the less doubtful of the two but if he does miss out then Richie Purdy could switch from striker to central defence. Either way Purdy is unlikely to be dropped after last week's performance.
Though his side lost to St Patrick's last Saturday, Jim McInally feels that similar displays will lead to an improvement in Sligo's results over the coming weeks. Tomorrow he is likely to have to cope without either Jim Sheridan (hamstring) or, probably, Steve Birks but Keith Gilroy will be in central midfield again after making his debut for the Irish under-16s during the week.
Also in line to play is 17 year-old full-back Johnny Davey, another product of the McInally/David Pugh "if they're good enough, they're old enough" approach.
Last season: Sligo 2 Rovers 3, Rovers 1 Sligo 1, Sligo 1 Rovers 0.
Recent league form: Rovers: WWLWW, Sligo: LWLDL.
Betting: Home: 8/13, Draw: 13/5, Away: 7/2.
Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).
First Division fixtures: Saturday: Longford Town v Kilkenny City, Dundalk v Athlone Town (both 7.30).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
