Down to wire as title race enters final phase

The final round of matches in the Eircom League will become irrelevant if Shelbourne can beat Waterford United at Tolka Park and Cork City falter in Drogheda tonight.

Otherwise, the title race - which should have been settled eons ago - will go down to the final day of the season with Pat Fenlon's men having to get something from St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park. Or, Cork's late surge could see them achieve a remarkable title success if they beat, of all teams, Bohemians at Turner's Cross next week.

How did it get this close? Well, Shelbourne's shocking stumble away to FAI Cup champions Longford Town last Saturday meant at least another hand of cards has to be dealt.

It may be remembered as just a minor blip in a hugely successful season for the defending champions or the catalyst for the worse capitulation in years. Fenlon at least has the chance to put things back on track tonight.

"Of course, it surprised me," he said of last week's 4-1 defeat. "We didn't deserve anything out of the game and we didn't get anything but we have always said before that we will not look back on what has happened. We can only move on and look at winning the next game."

Alan Moore, who is suspended, is the only player not available for selection, while, for Waterford, Pat Purcell has an ankle injury and player manager Alan Reynolds is out for the rest of the season with a knee problem.

Like Shelbourne, Cork City are missing just one player, the suspended Joe Gamble, as they seek to defend a 10-match unbeaten run in their second encounter with Drogheda United in a week.

Drogheda still have a fighting chance of stealing ahead of Bohemians into third, and with that comes the reward of European football next year. However, Monday's 3-2 defeat seemed like the killer blow to that dream.

Manager Paul Doolin was particularly disappointed with Declan O'Brien's sending off against Cork, he's now suspended along with Stephen Gray, but he also feels the season as a whole has been a qualified success.

"It's our last home game so obviously we would like to finish on a good note. When you consider we were battling for survival this time last year, we have come a long way. In many respects we have probably overachieved."

With four points separating the sides, Doolin may have to be content with finishing in the upper half of the table as Cork would have to completely self-destruct tonight and then produce a miraculous recovery, by beating Bohemians, on the final Saturday of the season.

Bohemians have an ideal home tie against the relegated Dublin City to secure their place in next years InterToto Cup ahead of United. A draw will suffice.

The only other fixture tonight would have once received top billing but Shamrock Rovers and St Patrick's Athletic are just thankful that the extension of the Premiership from 10 to 12 teams for next season and the presence of Dublin City saved them from any serious relegation fears.

Rovers, now under the ever-colourful Roddy Collins, are the official home side at their landlord's residence of Richmond Park.

St Pat's are still without Dessie Byrne (hamstring) and Stephen Quigley (suspended) but manager John McDonnell did reveal that the retiring Paul Osam will make one last competitive appearance for the club against Shelbourne next week.