Mahon empathises with Fenlon after resignation

League of Ireland:Pete Mahon says he empathised with Pat Fenlon following his resignation as manager of Derry City on Monday. The reluctance of Fenlon's wife and young family to relocate to the north-west is believed to be the a catalyst for his decision, though poor results wouldn't have helped.

UCD manager Mahon was in a vaguely similar position when he resigned at Bohemians some years ago after family members were verbally accosted at a match.

"Yes, they were both for family reasons, though they were poles apart, from what I can gather," said Mahon. "My family reasons were of a different magnitude to Pat's.

"I'm just sorry we've lost another good manager, though I don't expect Pat to be out of football for long."

Midfielders Ronan Finn, who had a knee operation this week, and captain Tony McDonnell (hamstring) remain out for UCD ahead of Derry's visit to Belfield tonight.

Derry defender Peter Hutton is likely to remain in caretaker charge until after the June break at least.

Foot and hip problems mean defender Seán Hargan has joined long-term injured Gary Beckett on the treatment table while Ken Oman (calf) is also still out.

Greg O'Halloran, sent off in Longford last week, is suspended while Paddy McCourt suffered a thigh injury at Flancare Park and is unlikely to play. Alan Moore, Killian Brennan and the returning Kevin Deery must prove their fitness.

St Patrick's Athletic will be confident of consolidating their five-point lead at the top of the table at home to Sligo Rovers, with midfielders Alan Kirby and Dave Mulcahy set to return, though Joseph Ndo remains out with a knee injury.

Sligo have winger Stephen Manson back from suspension, but are without injured defenders Séamus Coleman and Gavin Peers, though young midfielder Gary Curran is fit again.

Winger James Keddy is in contention for his first start of the season for second-placed Drogheda United at home to Shamrock Rovers, while left back Simon Webb is over an ankle injury. Ollie Cahill is also fit despite a knock to an ankle in Monday's defeat at St Patrick's.

Rovers' manager Pat Scully is minus captain Aidan Price and fellow defender Derek Pender because of knee problems.

Bottom-of-the-table Longford Town travel to Waterford United without Shay Kelly, Martin brothers, John and Robbie, Kevin Doherty and Dessie Baker due to injury and illness. Unbeaten in three games, Waterford will be without midfielder John Paul Kelly, serving a one-match ban, while defender Deane Pooley and winger Harpal Singh miss out again with injuries.