Collins not tempted by title talk

FAI National League Premier Division preview: While their supporters may accept his views with some reluctance, Eamonn Collins is refusing to give credence to the notion that St Patrick's Athletic are genuine championship contenders.

Shelbourne, Bohemians, Shamrock Rovers and Cork City, in St Patrick's manager Collins's view, are the real title protagonists, even though his side have not lost to any of them in the first phase, drawing with three and raising expectations with a rousing home win over champions Bohemians last week.

"People may well look at the results from the first round of games and see us up there second in the table and say that we are genuine title contenders," said Collins. "But people would be wrong. I don't think anyone should be making judgments like that at the moment.

"We have only played nine. I've said from the start that we are behind those four clubs in terms of strength in depth. They would have an expectation to win the league. That's their priority."

Midfielder Paul Osam, absent from the Bohemians win because of a knee injury, returns for the meeting with Cork City at Richmond Park tonight where a win will move St Patrick's to within three points of leaders Shelbourne.

"It's a big game for both clubs and a very special one with Pat (Dolan) coming back," said Collins. Colin Patrick O'Brien is likely to partner George O'Callaghan in attack as Cork are without John O'Flynn who plays for the Ireland under-21s against Albania at Dalymount Park tonight while Kevin Doyle is out with a bruised shin. Midfielder Geoff Breslan's proposed loan move from Exeter City has fallen through.

Shamrock Rovers will be looking for a change in fortune when they play Drogheda United at 0₂ Park.

"We've had a few dubious decisions against us in recent weeks," said manager Liam Buckley, mindful of the penalty his side wasn't given as they lost to Shelbourne last week. "Hopefully those will even themselves out over the season," added Buckley who has striker Trevor Molloy back from a three-week lay-off with an ankle injury.

With Pat Scully proving his fitness following a thigh strain may give manager Harry McCue food for thought, Drogheda expect to be unchanged from the side that beat Cork City 3-1 at the same venue last Saturday.

Ukrainian Andrei Pereplyotkin and Robert Doyle vie to partner Paul Keegan in Bohemians' attack as Stephen Kenny's champions continue to search for the form that brought them their title last season at bottom of the table UCD.

Glen Crowe, forced out of the senior international squad with a knee injury, is expected to be sidelined for a fortnight. Left-back Darragh Ryan and midfielder Gavin Whelan contest starting places for UCD.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated): Premier Division: Drogheda Utd v Shamrock Rovers (8.0); St Patrick's Athletic v Cork City; UCD v Bohemians. First Division: Athlone Town v Dublin City; Bray Wanderers v Cobh Ramblers; Finn Harps v Kilkenny City (8.0); Kildare County v Monaghan Utd (7.30).

LAST NIGHT'S RESULT: First Division: Dundalk 3 (S Kelly 45, McCartney 52, Ward 70), Limerick FC 1 (O'Flynn 90).