FAI National League Previews

Tomorrow (3.15)

Dundalk v Cork City

John "Jumbo" Brennan is likely to make his debut for the home side tomorrow after the former Shamrock Rovers player completed his move from Galway United. Brennan wanted to play up front rather than at full back where Don O'Riordan had been using him and Dundalk could do with somebody who knows how to find the net on something more than an occasional basis so, says Jim McLaughlin, "this is an opportunity for both of us".

Dundalk have looked a lot more solid in recent weeks during which they have started to pick up points on a regular basis. Dave Barry admits that it might have been better to have played them a few weeks ago but if City produce their best form it still should possible for them to come away with all three points.

They won't be helped, though, by the fact that Greg O'Halloran and Kelvin Flanagan are both still suspended while Patsy Freyne is expected to miss the game due with flu. Declan Daly is doubtful too, the defender picked up a groin strain in midweek, but Barry is hopeful he will be okay on the day.

If he is then the southerners will start with the same 11 that took the field on Tuesday. Fergus O'Donoghue will retain the right full back slot while Brian Barry Murphy will feature in the centre of the midfield.

Dundalk will also be much as they have been for the last couple of game although it remains to be seen whether Brian Byrne will be considered fit enough to play some part in the game.

Cork goalkeeper Noel Mooney will be presented with the National League United Player of the Month trophy before the game.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Cork 3 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 1 Cork 0, Cork 0 Dundalk 0; 98/99: Cork 4 Dundalk 1.

Recent league form: Dundalk: DDLWD; Cork: WWWDD.

Leading scorers: Dundalk: Withnell (four), Reddish (two); Cork: Cahill (six), Flanagan, Dobbs and Caulfield (five apiece).

Betting: Home: 3/1, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/5. Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Derry City v Shamrock Rovers

City should be close to full strength again for the visit of Rovers and after last week's away win they will fancy their chances of beating Mick Byrne's side tomorrow and leapfrogging the Dubliners in the table.

A couple of Kevin Mahon's players are carrying knocks but there doesn't appear to be anything too serious to worry about. There are no suspensions either so City are expected to be unchanged from the game at Bray where Liam Coyle's strike midway through the game kept them moving in the right direction.

Rovers, meanwhile, still have a few problems with Mick Byrne having to cope again without the services of Brian Morrisroe, Richie Purdy or Mark O'Neill. Marc Kenny faces a late fitness test on a hamstring problem while Matt Britton will probably play despite suffering from a back strain.

Byrne, though, says he is happy with the way things have been progressing with the side and is simply hoping that the players he does have will continue to perform the way they have in recent weeks. "If we can play the way we did in the first half against Cork on a regular basis there's no reason why we can't keep moving in the right direction," says the Rovers boss who may well put out the same side that started the Dundalk game a week ago.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Rovers 1 Derry 0, Derry 0 Rovers 1, Rovers 3 Derry 1; 98/99: Rovers 0 Derry 0.

Recent league form: Derry: DWLDW; Rovers: LWWWD.

Leading scorers: Derry: Coyle (five), McHugh (four); Rovers: Sherlock and Cousins (five apiece).

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 2/1.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Bray Wanderers

Little Christmas cheer around these two camps just now with Shelbourne still struggling to find the sort of form that took them to within a whisker of the title last season and Bray having rediscovered just the sort of form that led to relegation two seasons ago.

The home side's problems are compounded at the moment by the fact that Stephen Geoghegan is suffering from a chest infection that has prevented him from training this week and so the club's most prolific striker is in danger of having to sit out another game.

Liam Kelly is also laid up, glandular fever the cause of his lay off, while Dave Campbell is having difficulty shaking off a knee problem which may well keep him out for another while.

No suspensions for the Dubliners, though, which is something of an achievement given the rate at which their players have been opting for the early shower which means that the second striker's place alongside Tony Sheridan is likely to be the only problem area. If Geoghegan does miss out then Dessie Baker is the most likely replacement.

Bray also have a problem up front where Jason Byrne is carrying a calf strain that might sideline him. Bo McKeever is also suspended but otherwise Pat Devlin's side are problem free - assuming you can put their current run of form out of your minds for a moment.

That, however, is precisely what Wanderers intend to do. "We have to be very positive about it," he says. "Our last good run started with a win over Shelbourne and we're looking to start another run with this game." Well that will certainly cheer up Dermot Keely then.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Bray 1 Shelbourne 0.

Recent league form: Shelbourne: WDLDL; Bray: LLLLL.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: Sheridan (five); Bray: Byrne (five), Parsons (three).

Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 9/4, Away: 4/1. Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

UCD v Finn Harps

Dr Tony O'Neill has observed in recent weeks that on those occasions when his side draw with or beat a side, the opposition's manager almost invariably describes his team's performance as their worst of the season. Finn Harps seem to be one of the teams O'Neill has in mind for Charlie McGeever was certainly none too pleased when his players allowed the students to go home with a point from Finn Park earlier in the season. Now, however, they are undoubtedly in fine form and after last week's victory over Shelbourne the manager must decide whether, with Brian Flood, Davie Dowling and Paddy McGrenaghan all unavailable, he is willing to upset a winning combination in order to bring Fergal Harkin in from the start.

The students have worries about a couple of key players with Eoin Bennis doubtful due to an ankle problem and Aidan Lynch carrying a back strain that has so far been bothering him without preventing him from playing.

Both of those may well end up playing but Graham Brett is definitely out, a suspension combining well with a hamstring pull to put paid to his chances of a start. Otherwise it's much as it was for the last week's win over Sligo at the Showgrounds.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Harps 1 UCD 0, UCD 0 Harps 0, Harps 1 UCD 2; 98/99: Harps 0 UCD 0.

Recent league form: UCD: WLDDW; Harps: DWWWW.

Leading scorers: UCD: Bennis (four), O'Byrne (three); Harps: Mulligan (eight), Speak (five).

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 13/8.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

First Division

Today

Drogheda travel to Cobh for the first division's game of the weekend and John O'Rourke knows better than to expect a repeat of their opening fixture against United when his side took the points in an extremely comfortable victory.

"They had a lot of young lads in that day and they looked like they were a bit lost at times," says O'Rourke "but Martin (Lawlor) has added some experienced players since then and they've shown what they're capable of doing in the months since."

Neither side is likley to be much changed from last week with O'Rourke still missing Liam O'Connor due to a knee problem and expecting to stick with the same side that convincingly beat Monaghan United while Lawlor, has a full panel to choose from.

Damien Maher, the central defender who moved to United Park during the week is not available as he is serving a one-match suspension but Lawlor hopes he will be able to make his debut for the club in Limerick next week. Until then Lawlor doesn't give the impression that he sees any reason to meddle with a side that has won five and drawn one of their seven outings.

Fixtures: Cobh Ramblers v Drogheda United (7.0), Home Farm Everton v Galway United (7.30), Monaghan United v St Francis (7.0).