Premier Division
Dundalk v Shamrock Rvs (Oriel Park, 7.45)
Dundalk manager, Jim McLaughlin, remains upbeat despite being without four first-teamers as his revitalised side goes for a hat-trick of home wins.
Noel Melvin and Shane Reddish are suspended while Brian Byrne (knee) and Ray Campbell (groin) are almost certainly out.
But David Capper returns after six weeks.
Despite their bad run of not winning in five games Rovers can regain their coveted third spot with a win tonight. With Shelbourne playing Finn Harps tomorrow night, they might even retain it. "It's worrying that we've stopped scoring goals," said manager, Mick Byrne. "The front two players are working very hard, but we're simply not creating enough chances in front of goal."
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Shamrock Rovers 1 Dundalk 2, Dundalk 0 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 5 Dundalk 0. 1998/99: Dundalk 1 Shamrock Rovers 1, Shamrock Rovers 1 Dundalk 1.
Current league form: Dundalk: WWDWL; Shamrock Rovers: DLDLD
Leading league scorers: Dundalk: Withnell (four); Shamrock Rovers: Kenny (seven).
Betting: Home: 6/4; Draw: 11/8; Away: 6/4.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Shamrock Rovers captain, Paul Whelan, has received a one-match suspension following his sending off against Shelbourne a fortnight ago. Shelbourne midfielder Pat Fenlon broke his leg in the incident.
Rovers must also do without rightback Matt Britton who has received a two-match ban for accumulating 20 penalty points.
Shane Jackson (Shamrock Rovers), Darren O'Keeffe (Drogheda Untied), Paul Perth (Longford Town), Garreth Dodrill (St Francis) and Home Farm/Everton's Robbie Farrell are also suspended for two games for reaching 20 points. Suspensions effective from March 9th.
