LEAGUE OF IRELAND:DESPITE TWO wins at the venue earlier this season, UCD's desperation for points to avoid a relegation play-off means a hat-trick of wins at the UCD Bowl tonight will be well earned by league leaders Shamrock Rovers – a scenario that would effectively see them going for the title at Bohemians on Tuesday night.
“UCD are fighting for their position in the division,” noted Rovers manager Michael O’Neill, “they will be well up for the game. But our last two performances were very good, and we’ll be looking to repeat that and get the three points.”
Rovers continue without captain Dan Murray, winger Seán O’Connor and long-term casualty Pat Sullivan, who all have knee injuries. Midfielder James Chambers must pass a fitness test on a slight ankle injury.
Left back Ciarán Nangle and fellow defender Brian Shortall are back fit for UCD, whose Ireland under-23 contingent of Paul Corry, Greg Bolger and David McMillan returned unscathed from Estonia midweek.
Six points behind, and conscious of Rovers’ impending visit, champions Bohemians will be eager to maintain their impressive record against Bray Wanderers at Dalymount.
Though the 10-day break since they last played has allowed central defender Jason McGuinness recover from a hamstring strain, midfielders Glenn Cronin (knee) and Gareth McGlynn (calf) won’t be risked with Tuesday in mind. Conor Powell and Killian Brennan are also suspended.
Suspension and injuries deprive Bray of four first-team players. Hamstring injuries continue to sideline strikers Jake Kelly and John Mulroy, while midfielder Stephen Brennan is out with an ankle problem. Central defender Shane O’Connor serves a one-match ban.
Though they have goalkeeper and captain Barry Ryan and midfield playmaker Stephen O’Donnell returning from suspension, defenders Jamie McKenzie and Séamus Conneely are now banned for Galway United’s trip to Dundalk. Midfielder Ciarán Foley is expected to return following a long injury lay-off.
As with UCD, Dundalk’s under-23 players – Garry Breen, Daniel Kearns and Ross Gaynor – returned fit from Estonia. Defender Shaun Kelly is available following suspension, leaving midfielder Stephen Maher (pelvis) as Ian Foster’s only injury concern.
Remaining fixtures
Tomorrow (7.45pm unless stated) – Sporting Fingal v St Pat’s Ath (1pm); Sligo v Drogheda Utd. Tue, Oct 5th – Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers (7.05pm); Drogheda Utd v St Pat’s Ath, Sligo v Bray. Sat, Oct 9th – St Pat’s Ath v Bohemians (1pm); Dundalk v Sligo (2pm); Shamrock Rovers v Sporting Fingal (3pm); Galway Utd v UCD (6pm). Sun, Oct 10th – Bray v Drogheda Utd (3.30pm). Fri, Oct 15th – Sporting Fingal v Galway Utd, UCD v Dundalk. Fri, Oct 22nd – Dundalk v Sporting Fingal; Galway Utd v Bohemians; St Pat’s Ath v Bray Wanderers; UCD v Sligo; Shamrock Rovers v Drogheda Utd (8pm). Fri, Oct 29th – Bohemians v Dundalk; Bray v Shamrock Rovers; Drogheda Utd v Galway United; Sligo v St Pat’s Ath; Sporting Fingal v UCD.
