Heary on standby

Tonight's Match: Colin Hawkins, Ken Oman and Fergal Harkin are all doubtful for this evening's first encounter of the season between Bohemians and their successors as League champions Shelbourne at Dalymount Park.

The two central defenders both picked up injuries in Friday night's 2-0 defeat of St Patrick's Athletic and if neither recovers in time to partner Paul McNally, Thomas Heary is likely to come into Stephen Kenny's starting line up.

Harkin, meanwhile, is again suffering with a knee problem in the aftermath of a cartilage operation during the close season and may make way for Bobby Ryan in midfield.

Tony Grant will be in contention to start again after coming through a light training session yesterday.

Shelbourne may be unchanged as they try to extend a start of three matches unbeaten without conceding a goal.

Jim Crawford is Pat Fenlon's only doubt due to flu and if the central midfielder misses out then either Wes Hoolahan or Thomas Morgan is likely to start.

Kildare County took over at the top of the first division with a 2-1 victory over Cobh in Newbridge on Saturday night.

Kildare opened the scoring with a Barry O'Connor goal on 12 minutes. Minutes later Shane Harte crashed the ball home from 25 yards.

Ramblers replied in stoppage time when Robert Brosnan scored from close range.