Bohemians on defensive ahead of Euro test

With next week's trip to Belarus looming large on the horizon, Eircom League champions Bohemians will go into this evening's meeting with Waterford United missing key players in central defence where the relatively inexperienced Ken Oman and Jason McGuinness look set to get a rare outing together.

Colin Hawkins has already been ruled out of Wednesday's Champions league qualifier because of an Achilles tendon problem but Derek Coughlan (knee) and Paul McNally (calf) are both expected to miss tonight's match, leaving Stephen Kenny to rely on the younger pair.

Earlier in the week the Bohemians manager travelled to see BATE Borisov in action against Dinamo Br and yesterday he remarked that "they're very confident. They're planning to play Rosenborg in the next round already. But we'll have no fears when we go over there."

Kenny's most immediate task, however, is to improve his club's poor form at home where they have drawn four of the six games so far this season.

Waterford, on the other hand, will be coming to the capital looking for better than the 3-1 loss they suffered against Bohemians in May and manager Jimmy McGeough is likely to give 22-year-old Scottish midfielder Paul Rudden, signed earlier this week from St Mirren - where he played more than 100 games - his debut. The United boss, who is also hoping to recruit a striker from Scotland over the coming week, may include David Breen and Kevin O'Brien after the pair missed last week's draw with UCD.

In the night's meeting between the first and third-placed sides, Shelbourne and St Patrick's may both be unchanged with the Inchicore side, still having to cope without the injured Paul Osam and Pat Fenlon, expecting to have the same panel to choose from. Richie Baker is Fenlon's only doubt and the young winger will have a fitness test before the game to check on his recovery from a groin strain picked up in the win over Drogheda last Friday.

UCD welcome back Tony McDonnell and Alan Cawley for the visit of Derry City, who will be without Eamon Doherty.

Drogheda's players have hinted that they make take industrial action over the dismissal of Mark Dempsey by the club. In a statement issued through the PFAI yesterday, the players expressed concern over the way Dempsey, who has had his contract terminated by United, has been treated and urged the club to reinstate the player. They concluded that they would not rule out taking "appropriate action" in support of the midfielder.

Former under-21 international James O'Connor, meanwhile, may yet be persuaded to stay at Stoke City according to the club's director of football John Rudge. Norwich City, West Brom and Nottingham Forest have all been linked with the Irish midfielder in recent days but Rudge insists that City want to hold on to him.

"James is out of contract and has chosen to use the opportunity to place himself in the shop window," he said. "But we have tried to encourage him to stay and we are still striving to see whether there is some open ground where we can reach a compromise and strike an agreement."

FAI CUP SECOND ROUND (7.45) - Dates and venues - Wed, July 23rd: Everton v Waterford Utd, Turner's Cross, Cork; Thurs, July 24th: Derry City v Cobh Ramblers, Brandywell; Fri, July 25th: St Patrick's Ath v Shamrock Rovers, Richmond Park; Bray Wanderers v Athlone Town, Carlisle Grounds; Cork City v Shelbourne, Turner's Cross; UCD v Belgrove, Belfield; Finn Harps v Drogheda Utd, Ballybofey, 8.0; Sat, July 26th: Kildare County v Crumlin Utd, Station Road, Newbridge, 7.30; Loughshinney v Galway Utd, Market Green, Balbriggan (kick-off TBA); Moyle Park v Sligo Rovers, John Hyland Park, Baldonnel, 5.0; Cherry Orchard v St Mochta's, Coldcut, Ballyfermot (7.0); Sun, July 27th: Tolka Rovers v Longford Town, Frank Cooke Park, 2.30; Portmarnock v Dublin City, AUL Complex, Clonshaugh, 2.30; Dundalk v Bohemians, Oriel Park, 6.30; Skerries Town v Monaghan Utd, Park Lane, Skerries, 2.30. To be arranged: Limerick FC v Kilkenny City.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES - National League - Premier Division (7.45): Bohemians v Waterford Utd; St Patrick's Ath v Shelbourne; UCD v Derry City.