Bohemians intent on claiming top spot

LOI PREMIER DIVISION:BOHEMIANS HAVE the opportunity to leapfrog St Patrick's Athletic and go top of the League of Ireland Premier Division table this evening at Dalymount Park where a win over UCD would put them two points clear of their cross-city rivals.

Pat Fenlon was at Belfield last week to see the students salvage a point against Cobh thanks to a dramatic last-gasp equaliser from their goalkeeper Matt Gregg and the Bohemians manager is highly respectful towards tonight's opponents, insisting they are always difficult to beat.

Pete Mahon, however, accepts his side played poorly last Saturday and acknowledges a much improved performance will be required if they are to seriously trouble a team of Bohemians quality.

"I was very disappointed with the way we played," he says, "and the lads know it but we've drawn against Bohemians already this season and while we lost there last year we played well. If we do that this time around then at least we'll be in with a shout."

The visitors aren't helped by the number of their players carrying knocks and Mahon may well be forced to hand out a couple of competitive debuts. Alan Mahon and Brian Shortall, both of whom missed the Cobh game, are still out injured and they are joined by Brian King and Ian Bermingham (groin and hamstring respectively). Shane Fitzgerald is also a doubt with a knee problem while Paul Byrne is still only getting over a hamstring injury.

"In the circumstances, it's looking as though we might have to turn to a couple of the younger lads," says Mahon. "Enda Stevens and Ger O'Callaghan are both in with a shout of starting."

The pair are both left-sided players, however, and Mahon says he will continue to weigh up his options until close to kick-off time.

The hosts, meanwhile, have Jason Byrne, Ken Oman and Mark Rossiter available again but Glenn Cronin is still injured Jason McGuinness and John Paul Kelly are suspended. Oman is set to replace McGuinness in central defence but Fenlon has a number of options in midfield.

Elsewhere, manager Jeff Kenna looks set to start again for Galway as they take on Derry but Alan Keane misses the game with a knee injury. Stephen Kenny has a full squad to choose from.

Sligo, meanwhile, will be without Matthew Judge for the trip to Shamrock Rovers following the terrible facial injury he picked up against Finn Harps. Steve Feeney is also out with a hamstring while Seamus Coleman faces a late test on an ankle problem.

The Dubliners are again without John Martin, Chris Mulhall and Robbie McCreevy but Eric McGill and Seán O'Connor are both back from suspension and Darragh Maguire is expected to shake off a knock picked up in Monday's draw at Richmond Park.