Waterford United aim for European place

National League Report and previews: Fresh from the misfortune of not having beaten league leaders Shelbourne at Tolka Park last week, Waterford United continue to trumpet their impressive return to the top flight with talk of Europe. "We are here to stay. We are not just passing through," says manager Jimmy McGeough whose side plays Drogheda United at the RSC tonight.

"People would have said pre-season that our main aim was survival, but I must say that that wasn't in our thoughts at all. I am looking for a spot in the top four and to try to get into Europe next season."

Dan Connor is back from his impressive display for Ireland's under-21s against Georgia while striker Vinny Sullivan returns from a one-match suspension.

Bitterly disappointed to have lost to two late goals in a match they dominated against Shamrock Rovers last week, Drogheda know hanging onto the likes of Waterford has to be their goal.

"They are a side we should be capable of matching and we want to stay in touch with them," says Drogheda manager Harry McCue whose team will overtake fourth-placed Waterford on goal difference should they win.

Trevor Molloy is in line to start for Shamrock Rovers in the Dublin derby with St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park that pits second against third.

St Patrick's manager Eamonn Collins knows the match will bear no resemblance to Monday's League Cup quarter-final which his side comfortably won 3-0.

Collins awaits midfielder Paul Osam whose troublesome knee forced his retirement after an hour against Cork City last week. French left-back Karim El Khebir is also a doubt with a groin strain.

Reeling from his first successive defeats since taking over, Bohemians manager Stephen Kenny is again without Irish international striker Glen Crowe who continues to recuperate from the knee injury that forced him out of the Republic of Ireland team for the Euro 2004 qualifiers with Albania and Georgia.

Longford, the struggling champions' opponents at Dalymount Park tonight, have midfielder Darragh Sheridan back from suspension but manager Alan Matthews has a doubt over Brian Byrne (groin). Defender Avery John is still on international duty with Trinidad and Tobago.

Cork City will hope the return of leading scorer John O'Flynn from Irish under-21 duty can bring to an end a run of just three draws from their last six games.

Bolstered by their first league win of the season over Bohemians, UCD, with a good record at Turner's Cross, are the dangerous visitors. Central defender Robert McAuley is unlikely to feature having been concussed last week but Darragh Ryan is fit.

Tonight's Fixtures (7.45 unless stated): Premier Division - Bohemians v Longford Town, Cork City v UCD, Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Athletic, Waterford United v Drogheda United (7.30).