National League

Galway United v Shamrock Rovers

Having discovered a three goal-a-game striker in centre half Kieran Foley, Don O'Riordan admits his side will be going into this evening's clash against Shamrock Rovers with a good deal more confidence than of late.

Not that they are exactly counting their chickens. "Rovers are a good side," says the Galway manager. "But having put together a few results after such a bad period is bound to help the spirit and over the last couple of weeks they've finally started to see some return on all of the hard work."

The decision to throw Foley forward last week was prompted by the team's lack of physical presence in the opposition's penalty area in most of their games this season and having started so well in his first senior start in the position the local youth can expect to partner Eric Lavine again tonight.

That means a replacement for the suspended Darragh Sheridan will be O'Riordan's only change from the team that won at Dalymount. The visitors are still without the injured trio of Derek Tracey, Tony Cousins and Billy Woods, so Richardson will stick with the same side that started against Sligo last week. "If we play like we did in the second half up there," says the Rovers' manager, "we should be okay but a repeat of the first-half display and we'll have problems."

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet; 99/00: Rovers 2 United 1.

Recent league form: United: LLWDW; Rovers: LWDLW.

Leading scorers: United: Keogh and Clery (four apiece); Rovers: Woods (six), Purdy (five).

Betting: Home: 15/8, Draw: 9/4, Away: 6/5. Referee: E Barr (Dublin).

St Patrick's Athletic v Bohemians

Liam Buckley admits now that he may have paid Shelbourne "a little too much respect" at Tolka Park last week where the decision to play Trevor Molloy as a lone striker backfired somewhat. He says he won't make the same mistake this evening but insists that he won't be underestimating the visitors either as "Roddy has a good squad and he'll fancy his team's chances of having a good second half to the season".

Buckley was also delighted to announce the signing of Liam Kelly (24) on a free transfer from Shelbourne.

Paul Osam, Paul Donnelly and Willie Burke are still unavailable due to injury but Burke is back training and now thought to be only two or three weeks away from match fitness.

Buckley says that he might "change the shape a bit" which is likely to mean either the return of Marcus Hallows up

front alongside Molloy in a 3-5-2 line-up or Al an McNevin's resumption of his more usual third striker's role. Bohemians, meanwhile, have even more reason to want to forget last week's misadventure than their southside rivals. The 3-1 defeat by Galway may prompt changes in Roddy Collins's starting 11. One change likely is the return from suspension of Avery John.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: St Patrick's 3 Bohemians 0, Bohemians 1 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 1 Bohemians 3; 99/00: Bohemians 0 St Patrick's 0.

Recent league form: St Patrick's: DDWWL; Bohemians: LWDWL.

Leading scorers: St Patrick's: Hallows and McNevin (four apiece);

Bohemians: Crowe (six).

Betting: Home: 8/11, Draw: 11/5, Away: 7/2. Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Sligo Rovers

Dermot Keely's side have beaten both of their main championship rivals over the past two weeks and now head into a brief run of matches against those clambering to get away from the other end of the table. First up are Sligo who have been playing reasonably well recently without getting very much return for it. Certainly if goals guaranteed points then they would have taken a few of late, but problems persist in defence. For the first time since taking over Tommy Cassidy has a full squad to choose from although the return of Dale Gray and Paul Bonner to training may have come too late for them to be considered for the starting line-up. Shelbourne, have close to a clean bill of health again. Stephen Geoghegan is suspended so Gary Haylock returns to the starting line-up. Richie Baker, though troubled slightly with a groin strain this week, is expected to be fine.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Shelbourne 1 Rovers 1, Rovers 1 Shelbourne 3, Shelbourne 1 Rovers 0; 99/00: Rovers 2 Shelbourne 4. Recent league form: Shelbourne: WWDWW, Rovers: LWDLL.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: S Geoghegan (four); Rovers: Moran (11).

Betting: Home: 4/9, Draw: 5/2, Away: 6/1. Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.