SOCCER/National League Previews: While Shelbourne seek to extend their unbeaten start to the new campaign to seven games at Tolka Park this evening, their nearest rivals in the Premier Division table, Cork City and Derry City, are both in Dublin looking to bounce back from defeats last week that have cost them a little bit of early-season momentum.
Cork take on Shamrock Rovers at Dalymount where Damien Richardson's intentions will be slightly at odds with most of the club's former players, who are being brought along to lend a hand to this latest in a long line of rescue efforts.
The club is expected to respond to queries from the FAI regarding the accounts submitted with its licence application today and the licensing committee is set to consider that response on Tuesday, but Richardson knows all about the business of keeping things going on the field against a background of turmoil from his own time as manager there.
"What happened at Rovers was disappointing for a long time and for the last while it's been more depressing than anything else really," says Richardson. "To go and play them in Dublin still feels like a big occasion for me, though, and I'm looking forward to it. Obviously I hope the crowds turn out for them because they need the support more than ever.
"But I can't help feeling that at a time like this the club's great history can end up being a bit of an obstacle and because people find themselves looking back rather than to the future . . . that's what they need to be doing now."
Richardson must wait until this afternoon before assessing whether goalkeeper Michael Devine (knee) or striker Denis Behan (ankle) are fit enough to play so Mark McNulty and John O'Flynn stand by while Colin O'Brien and Billy Woods are expected to shake off knocks in time to start.
Rovers, meanwhile, could do with building on last week's surprise win in Derry, but Jason McGuinness looks set to miss out with a calf strain while Pat McCourt, who scored twice at the Brandywell, is a major doubt after picking up a hip injury in training.
Derry face UCD at Belfield where the Northerners will be aiming to maintain their 100 per cent record on the road without Stephen O'Flynn (bruised ribs) or, possibly, Gareth McGlynn who has an ankle problem.
"People say that this is the sort of game you should win and obviously we'd be confident that we can bounce back from what was a disappointing night for us last Friday," says Stephen Kenny, "but UCD have drawn with Cork and Shelbourne and beaten Waterford so they're hardly anybody's pushovers. It'll be a difficult game for us, but if we can get back to the way we have been playing then we certainly have every chance."
Shelbourne add David Crawley and Jamie Harris to the squad that travelled to Portadown in midweek but Gary O'Neill is ruled out by an ankle problem. Jody Byrne is suspended for the visitors, who have signed 22-year-old American goalkeeper Pat Hannigan, while Kevin Grogan is included in the panel for the first time this season.
At Richmond Park, St Patrick's Athletic are without Robbie Doyle because of a family bereavement. Waterford will again be missing Paul Crowley while both player-manager Alan Reynolds and skipper John Frost are doubts but Seán Finn looks likely to start for the visitors.
Another win this evening would leave Drogheda United well placed, but Gareth Farrelly will be hopeful that his Bohemians side can finally start moving forward in the wake of last week's win over Finn Harps.
The lack of goals remains a serious concern for the Dubliners but, after a string of injury problems, only Mark O'Brien (hip) and long-term absentee Thomas Heary are unavailable.
Scottish Premier Division side Hibernian will play a series of friendly games in Ireland in early July. Cork City will take on the Edinburgh club on July 3rd at Turner's Cross with the Scots also due to play Shamrock Rovers and Drogheda United.
LEAGUE CUP: First-round draw: Group A: Limerick v Waterford United; Byes: Cobh Ramblers, Cork City, Kilkenny City; Group B: Dundalk v St. Patrick's Athletic; Monaghan United v Athlone Town; Byes: Bohemians, Drogheda United; Group C: Sligo Rovers v Finn Harps; Derry City v Mayo League; Byes: Galway United, Longford Town; Group D: Bray Wanderers v Shamrock Rovers; Dublin City v UCD; Byes: Kildare County and Shelbourne.
Games to be played during the week beginning Monday, May 30th.
