WITH A string of players coming back into contention for tonight’s top-of-the-table clash at Tallaght Stadium, Shamrock Rovers’ Michael O’Neill might just be the fractionally happier of the two managers in advance of the 7.45 kick-off (live on TG4).
Ian Bermingham may still be out injured but Darragh Maguire, Paddy Kavanagh, Pat Sullivan and Seán O’Connor are all in the reckoning again as the former Northern Ireland international weighs up his options.
Bohemians manager Pat Fenlon will make the short trip without Gary Deegan, Killian Brennan or Anto Murphy, all of whom are suspended.
“I think Bohemians have a very good side,” said O’Neill, “I watched them in Europe and thought they were very unlucky to go out which, given the calibre of the Red Bull Salzburg side they lost to, is saying something.
“But I think we’ve come a long way from the first meeting of the season when they were a good deal better than us. We’ve been able to add players through the season that have all raised the bar and the others have reacted well.
“The last two games have been very even and we’re looking forward to the challenge of taking them on again.”
Elsewhere, Drogheda United and Dundalk meet for the fifth time this season, with both sides looking to push on after recent wins. United’s win at Bray last week was particularly significant and Alan Mathews has Paul Shiels back from suspension as he looks to engineer a first home win of the year over the club’s old rivals.
Dundalk are without Alex Williams and Michael McGowan (both suspended), while Simon Kelly (groin) and Michael McGinlay (ankle) are both doubts but Michael Daly, Mickey Collins and Paul McAreavy are all available again to manager Sean Connor.
After a defeat at Oriel Park that clearly annoyed Ian Foster, Galway United will be without Garry Breen and Shane Guthrie (both suspended) for the visit of Bray.
Eddie Gormley is again without Paul Byrne for a game his side could really do with winning, while Derek Foran is suspended and Chris Deans, Gary McCabe and Gary Cronin are all doubts.
As the race for honours hots up the top two come face to face in the First Division, with Shelbourne playing host at Tolka Park to a UCD side that has scored 13 times without reply in their last three outings.
The hosts have slight doubts about Ciarán Kilduff and Brian Shorthall but it is expected they will shake off their minor knocks, while Shelbourne manager Dermot Keely has David Cassidy, Anto Flood and Tony Griffiths available again for the game.
