Shelbourne v Bohemians (3.15)
Things are improving for Bohemians but they will do well to maintain their upward momentum at Tolka Park this afternoon against a Shelbourne side which has finally started to remember how to win games after a terrible opening few weeks to the season.
The visitors will at least be boosted by the return of Raffaelle De Greggorio and Tony O'Connor while Peter Hanrahan, having come through a fleeting appearance last week and a couple of reserve games without any problems is in contention for a long-awaited return to the first team starting line up.
Donal Broughan and Robbie Brunton are both suspended, though, and that will mean some unwelcome changes to the already unsettled Bohemians defence.
Pat Scully (groin) and James Keddy (flu) are the main worries for Dermot Keely with the latter standing the better chance of playing but the manager's options are increased somewhat by the return of Dave Campbell from an eight-week loan spell at Newry.
Last season: Bohemians 1 Shelbourne 0, Shelbourne 0 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 0 Shelbourne 1.
Recent league form: Shelbourne: LDWLW; Bohemians: LLLWW.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Sheridan (three), Fenlon (two); Bohemians: Swan (three), Lawlor (two).
Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 5/2, Away: 5/2.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
League Cup (Semi-final) (Turner's Cross, 2.0)
Cork City v St Patrick's Ath
Cork come into the game looking to put Friday's defeat behind them quickly not least, says manager Dave Barry, because "there wasn't really one player coming back on the bus that night who could hold their hand up and say they played well."
Upcoming home games against Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers will be high in Barry's considerations as he names his team with the City manager admitting a win this afternoon would be especially welcome.
All of the players involved in Inchicore are available again while Dave Hill comes back into the panel. The Englishman is likely to start although whether he comes in at the heart of the defence, with Gareth Cronin possibly moving to left full and Brian Barry Murphy either losing out or reverting to midfield, or slots back into the middle of the pitch won't be revealed until shortly before the kick-off.
Liam Buckley also hopes to have all his players available. Although, how many he uses of those who played on Friday remains to be seen. In the quarter-final win over Longford Paul Osam, Trevor Wood and Stephen McGuinness were the only ones of this season's first team regulars to start. It may be a similar story this afternoon.
