Farrelly's more direct approach

National League previewsBohemians' player manager Gareth Farrelly is set to make his on-field debut for the club this evening as the Dubliners take on Cork City (live on Network 2, kick-off: 7.45 p.m.) in a game both clubs badly need to win if they are to maintain a serious threat to current leaders Shelbourne at the top of the table.

"They'd have to haul me off in an ambulance if I tried to start," said Farrelly yesterday, "because the pace of the game here is fast and I'm still catching up after being laid up with a bit of an injury, but I'm getting there now, I've been involved a lot more in training this week and this could certainly be the one where I'll be involved in the game for the first time."

The Dubliner admits that losing the game would be a major disappointment to everybody at Dalymount Park, but insists the three points are not vital from the point of view of meeting any short-term objectives, such as stealing back in for the league title or scraping into a qualifying place for Europe.

"What's happened is that I've come in here to do a job in the long term, to make the club more successful and to maximise the potential of Bohemians in every way possible, but the short term will take care of itself.

"If you set targets you can end up falling flat on your face so we haven't even talked about it to be honest."

Two Bohemians players, Glen Crowe and Stephen Caffrey, are slight doubts for the game, but Farrelly is hoping both will prove their fitness prior to kick-off.

Cork City have Alan Bennett available again, but Pat Dolan says he is happy with the way his players came from behind last week and the City boss may opt to stick with the same line-up.

Drogheda United will leapfrog Shelbourne to go top of the table if they can beat Longford at home this evening and Paul Doolin has close to a full squad available, despite a hectic midweek cup replay against UCD.

"It was a tough game and the extra time didn't do us any favours, but none of the lads complained about being wrecked when they trained so they'll be all right," said the Drogheda United manager.

Barry Molloy and Aidan Lynch are suspended, so Gary Cronin or Seán McClare may come in.

Longford will be without John Martin (concussion) while Barry Ferguson (knee) and Dean Fitzgerald (hip) are both doubtful.

In the night's other game, Shamrock Rovers are still without half a dozen first-team squad members including Derek Treacy, Liam Kelly and Pat Deans while Dublin City must cope without Alex Nesovic, Barry Ryan, Efan Ekoku and Marc Kenny. Carlton Palmer is a doubt.

Fixtures: Bohemians v Cork City, Drogheda United v Longford Town (both 7.45 p.m.), Shamrock Rovers v Dublin City (7 p.m.).