Bohemians aim to salvage from season

NOT quite the anticlimactic finale it seemed it might be. Two important issues remain unresolved entering the last full round of National League matches this weekend, namely the UEFA Cup spot and the second promotion place in Division One. Bohemians and the strongfinishing Cork City are chasing the former, with Drogheda United and Waterford United conducting a private battle for the latter.

In each instance there will be the consolation prize of qualifying for, respectively, the InterToto Cup or the promotion/relegation play off. St Patrick's still retain an outside hope of the minor mid summer competition, but they would require Cork to lose at home to Shamrock Rovers while St Patrick's themselves overcome Home Farm at home and make up four goals in the process. It's not beyond the bounds of possibility by any means, but it is a long shot.

All ears then, if not all eyes, will be tuned in to Turner's Cross, for the Cork game, and Belfield Park, where Bohemians complete a somewhat disappointing campaign against UCD. In the first division Drogheda (at home to Galway United) basically have to match whatever Waterford achieve at home to Monaghan so as to hold on to second place. Drogheda currently occupy the second automatic promotion place by the slenderest of margins - one goal (40 for and 27 against as opposed to Waterford's goal difference of 39-27).

Both teams, then, can be comfortable in the knowledge that a convincing home win will probably do. Tommy Lynch, the Waterford manager, is almost playing down this golden opportunity maintaining he is merely delighted that Waterford have played themselves into this position.

"Even if we don't overtake Drogheda, we know we will get another chance in the play off. A couple of months ago we were so far off the pace that I'd have settled for that."

Indeed, it has been a memorable season as it is, what with that overdue FAI Cup success at home to Shamrock Rovers en route to a Cup semi final defeat against Shelbourne. And with Dundalk dropping off the relegation pace alarmingly in recent weeks Waterford may well have every chance of completing their promotion in the second leg of the play off at the RSC.

Nevertheless, in private, Lynch and his players must be annoyed that they haven't secured their passage to the top flight already, or at least put themselves in pole position. Though Drogheda were the leaders of Division One for much of the season, Waterford have had them in their sights since the beginning of March.

However, Waterford have been unable to take advantage of a young Drogheda side's loss of form which has seen them take just five points out of their last six games. Despite Cup distractions, Waterford buttressed their long unbeaten home run with valuable away victories at Athlone and Limerick on the run in to play themselves into a prime position, but were unable to beat either Drogheda or Galway at the RSC last weekend.

Victory in the first would have left them just a point short, and victory in both would have taken them over the threshold. As it is, they have to better whatever Drogheda achieve at home to Galway.

Waterford would appear to have the slightly easier task, given Monaghan still require a point to avoid seeking reelection, were hammered 4-1 at home by Kilkenny last week and are likely to be without leading scorer Aaron Shearer - although Tom O'Connor's team were unbeaten in tour games before Kilkenny visited and Waterford's Lynch is suspended.

Drogheda, meantime, entertain an underachieving Galway side belatedly showing signs of form, having thrown a spanner in the promotion works of Athlone (3-2 win) and Waterford (1-1) last weekend.

General Manager Liam Brien is clearly doing his best to ease the pressure on his side. He welcomes midfielder Martin Beggs back from suspension.