FAI National League

Tonight

Premier Division

Finn Harps v UCD (7.30)

Surprisingly, just as big a match for Finn Harps as it is for UCD, as the Donegal side's promising season has petered out to oblivion.

The Students have grittily hung in there and refused to resign themselves to the relegation play-off when it seemed that that was their destiny.

Though they've been in tenth place for five months now, UCD have hauled themselves back into near salvation with the prospect of overtaking reigning champions Derry City should they win their remaining games, which includes next Tuesday's back match at home to Shelbourne.

And it's not just Derry who will need to look cautiously over their shoulder. Harps, who have Cork, Derry and Sligo in their other remaining games, need points to ward off their possible play-off scenario and a defeat to UCD tonight would put them right in the shake up.

"We have 39 points at the moment, and normally you would expect to be safe on that, but this season has been a little different," said Harps manager, Charlie McGeever.

Harps are again without Tom Callaghan (ankle) and Jonathan Speak (knee ligaments) and will rest Pascal Vaudequin who has failed to finish their last four games due to a niggling hamstring problem.

UCD have midfielder Ciaran Kavanagh back in contention for a place after he missed their excellent win in Cork last week through suspension. Manager Theo Dunne says that Kavanagh may not necessarily come straight back into the side such was the performance of the team in Cork.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: UCD 4 Finn Harps 0, Finn Harps 5 UCD 1, UCD 0 Finn Harps 0. 1997/98: Finn Harps 1 UCD 0, UCD 0 Finn Harps 0.

Current League form: Finn Harps: LDLDL; UCD: WWDLW.

Leading league scorers: Finn Harps: Speak (nine); UCD: Sherlock (10).

Betting: 4-7 home, 9-2 Away, 12-5 Draw.

Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

Kilkenny City V Derry City (7.30)

It's hard to believe that Derry travel to already relegated Kilkenny desperately needing full points to stave off the threat of a play-off, but that's where the champions find themselves tonight.

As the table stands, if UCD were to win their match in hand they would overtake Derry on goal difference, a frightening prospect for the Brandywell faithful.

"It's been a strange season, a very strange season," said Derry manager Felix Healy. "We know our problem has been a simply one. We've played well in most of our games, but just haven't been able to score enough goals."

Healy is somewhat dismissive of the play-off saying that which ever of the Premier sides is involved there should be little danger of them being relegated.

Derry have Paul Hegarty back from suspension and Liam Coyle returns following a bout Liam Coyle of flu.

However, James Kedy has been dealt another cruel injury blow after damaging knee ligaments in the 0-0 draw with Dundalk last week.

Kilkenny hope that central defender Eric Smith, out for a month with an ankle injury, may be fit to return to a side which has been given a youthful fling in recent games as manager Alfie Hale rests some of his more experienced players.

Last two season: 1996/97: Did not meet; 1997/98: Kilkenny City 0 Derry City 5, Derry City 1 Kilkenny City 1.

Current league form: Kilkenny City: LLDLD; Derry City: LDWLD.

Leading league scorers: Kilkenny City: Hale (five); Derry City: Hargan (five).

Betting: 3-1 Home, 8-11 Away, 5-2 Draw.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

Sligo Rovers v Cork City (7.30)

Cork's dreadful home loss to UCD last week looks to have all but ended their hopes of qualifying high enough in the league to win a UEFA Cup or InterToto Cup place. Their season surely now rests on winning the FAI Cup.

Dave Barry's side need to make up five points on third placed Shamrock Rovers if they're to make a European place in the league and with a run-in of Sligo (away), Finn Harps (away), Bohemains (home) and Shamrock Rovers (away), that's a very tall order.

Barry is scarcely helped by suspensions and injuries to key players.

Both skipper Declan Daly and Ollie Cahill are banned while Fergus O'Donoghue and Kelvin Flanagan are both struggling to be fit. Colin O'Brien is back jogging while Mark Herrick has played a couple of reserve games and may be risked. Phil Long's return from suspension will doubtless help Barry field a team.

Sligo have some good news as they search for the point or two they need to secure safety.

Leading scorer Padraig Moran and fellow striker Marcus Hallows should pass late fitness tests to be available again after hamstring and knee injuries respectively.

On-loan full-back Paul Morgan has returned to Preston while young attacking midfielder, Conor O'Grady, has extended his contract until the end of next season.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Cork City 2 Sligo Rovers 1, Sligo Rovers 1 Cork City 4, Cork City 1 Sligo Rovers 0. 1997/98: Sligo Rovers 0 Cork City 2, Cork City 1 Sligo Rovers 1.

Current league form: Sligo Rovers: LDDDL; Cork City: WWDDL.

Leading league scorers: Sligo Rovers: Moran (eight); Cork City: O'Brien (seven).

Betting: 7-4 Home, 5-4 Away, 9-4 Draw.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Tomorrow

Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Ath (3.15)

Mick Byrne's professionalism will have to get the better of him in tomorrow's big game at Tolka Park.

The Sharmock Rovers manager is hoping St Patrick's win the league and Shelbourne the FAI Cup, thus leaving Rovers with a definite UEFA Cup place should they, of course, finish third in the table.

But on reflection, and a quick glance at the league table, Rovers' do have a slight chance of maybe snatching the second place. That would require one of the top two totally collapsing, and Rovers could have a say in that considering they meet them both in their next two games.

Realistically, however, Rovers are looking at third place and their nine match unbeaten surge has given them the impetus to finish literally on a high. If they can remain unbeaten in their three remaining games (Shelbourne and Cork City, also both at Tolka Park) they should just about stay third.

"We've come good to enjoy our best run of form just at the right time of the season," said Byrne. "But we've now got three cup finals of our own really and I feel that four points from the three games should be enough as our nearest rivals, Bohemians and Cork, also have to play each other."

Generally, it's been an excellent season for Rovers after the summer shake up which saw the arrival of a new manager and eight new players.

"The only real blemish on our season was the cup defeat to Athlone," added Byrne, "and we feel we now owe it to our supporters to get them into Europe to compensate for that."

St Patrick's look like being without Packie Lynch for the run-in after he was stretchered off in Monday's win at Finn Harps. Lynch has cartilage and medial ligament damage.

Manager Pat Dolan will decide between Stephen McGuinness and Mick Moody to come in as Lynch's replacement in central defence to play alongside Colin Hawkins.

Paul Osam has suffered from two gruelling games over Easter, not having played for three months prior to that, and has picked up a groin injury. Trevor Croly stands by.

Rovers continue without Mark O'Neill, who is serving the second game of a three match suspension, and expect to be unchanged from the side that won in Drogheda last week.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: St Patrick's Athletic 0 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1, St Patrick's Athletic 2 Shamrock Rovers 2. 1997/98: Shamrock Rovers 0 St Patrick's Athletic 1, St Patrick's Athletic 2 Shamrock Rovers 0.

Current league form: Shamrock Rovers: DWDWW; St Patrick's: DWDLW.

Leading scorers: Shamrock Rovers: Cousins (14); St Patrick's: Gilzean (11).

Betting: 2-1 Home, 11-10 Away, 9-4 Draw.

Referee: T Tully (Cork).

First Division

The tenuous chance of overtaking Bray Wanderers to gain an automatic promotion place isn't something that bothers Limerick manager, Dave Connell. He's more than happy in the knowledge that Limerick have secured the play-off spot and is looking forward to playing whoever finishes third from bottom in the Premier Division.

"We're content to settle for the play-off," said Connell, " I can't see Bray slipping up over their three remaining games and their goal difference is far superior to ours."

Connell said he is proud of his side's achievements. "At the start of the season I didn't for one moment think we could get either of the two automatic promotion places, but felt that, if we had a good season, we would be capable of challenging for the play-off."

Limerick have Sean Byrne suspended and will rest Albert Finnan, Jason O'Connor and Darren Browne, who are all carrying knocks, for tomorrow's home game with Longford Town.

Paul O'Donnell, Dave Carmody and Eddie Walsh can expect to play at some stage, if not from the start.

Connell isn't overly concerned about who will meet Limerick in the play-off, but is eager watch all the potential opponents, starting with Derry City away at Kilkenny tonight.

St Francis, as a gesture to patrons for their last home game of the season, are admitting spectators free of charge for their match with Home Farm/Everton at Baldonnel tomorrow.