National League Previews

Today

Finn Harps v Drogheda Utd (7.30)

With Stuart Gauld expected to depart for an Irish League side in the near future and three or four players due to arrive at Ballybofey over the next couple of weeks, Harps manager Charlie McGeever realises that things will take a while to settle down for the home club.

Still, his current difficulties look insignificant compared to Martin Lawlor's, with the Drogheda manager admitting that these first few weeks may amount to little more than an effort at "damage limitation" for the troubled Louth club.

The visitors should, at least, be boosted by the return of Roy Fox, John Carroll and John Reid, none of whom played against Dundalk but they will do well to come away with a result if James Mulligan and Jonathan Speak can rediscover the sort of form they showed over the last six games of last season.

Last season: Did not play.

League Cup form: Harps: DWD, Drogheda: WWL.

Betting: Home: 8/11, Draw: 2/1, Away: 7/2.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Sligo Rovers v Bohemians (7.30)

Nicky Reid is another man who could have done with another couple of pre-season weeks but the form shown by a couple of Sligo's new arrivals in the League Cup has raised expectations at the Showgrounds.

The hat-trick scored by South African striker Falcon Rose against Derry marks him out as one to watch for the Dubliners who need to put a disappointing league cup campaign behind them straight away.

Turlough O'Connor is likely to look to his experienced men in this first outing of the campaign and it will be interesting to see how his strikers fare against newly-signed goalkeeper Mark Westhead.

Last season: Bohemians 0 Sligo 2, Sligo 2 Bohemians 1, Bohemians 0 Sligo 0.

League Cup form: Sligo: DDW, Bohemians: WLW.

Betting: Home: 9/4, Draw: 2/1, Away: 6/5.

Referee: P Dempsey (Dublin).

Tomorrow

Cork City v Dundalk (2.45)

Contrary to what might have been expected after their form last season, both of these sides managed a string of goals during the League Cup and this could well end up being the game of the day.

Certainly it will be interesting to see how well Dundalk, with Jim McLaughlin back at the helm, do against tougher opposition than they met in their outings of the past two weeks. The visitors have doubts about Brian Byrne and Raymond Campbell although it is hoped that both will be fit to start while David Hoey, who scored a hat-trick in the 5-1 win over Monaghan should retain his place.

For City, Stephen Napier, just returned from a twoseason spell at Dundalk, will be at the centre of defence while Barry will be hoping that Jason Kabia continues to impress up front where he is likely to partner John Caulfield again.

Last season: Dundalk 0 Cork 1, Cork 0 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 0 Cork 4.

League Cup form: Cork: WWW, Dundalk: WWW.

Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 9/4, Away: 9/2.

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Kilkenny City (3.15)

Having failed to take their chances against Kilmarnock, Shelbourne must now turn their attention to the League and Damien Richardson will be looking to kick off what he hopes will be his year in the championship with a win over First Division champions Kilkenny.

Stephen Geoghegan didn't quite look to be back to his best on Thursday night although Tony McCarthy did extremely well during his short spell in the game. Both are likely to be in contention for starting spots on Sunday as is Greg Costello, who sat out the second leg of the European tie on the bench.

City could be better fixed for such a big game with several important members of last season's side, including Paul Cashin, Aidan Cooney and Pascal Keane all carrying knocks picked up in pre-season. Cooney and Keane may recover in time but Paul Devereux is likely to out for another couple of weeks with a knee injury.

Last season: Did not meet.

League Cup form: Shelbourne: WWW, Kilkenny: LLD.

Betting: Home: 1/4, Draw: 7/2, Away: 10/1.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

UCD v Shamrock Rovers (3.15)

Rovers could not have a much more miserable build up to the new campaign but manager Mick Byrne puts a great deal of their misfortune down to the number of players out of action through injury in recent weeks.

He is hoping that by Sunday most of his problems will be behind him although groin strains seem certain to keep Paul Stokes and Sean Francis out for another while and may force the club to bring in another striker.

With Jason Colwell lining out against them tomorrow UCD will have to restructure the midfield he ran for the past couple of seasons and recently arrived John Martin may get an early opportunity to stake his claim to the team's central creative role. Robert McAuley may be fit again after badly spraining his arm in a League Cup game but the return of Terry Palmer and Jason Sherlock will take another while yet.

Last season: Rovers 1 UCD 1, UCD 1 Rovers 0, Rovers 0 UCD 0.

League Cup form: DLD, Rovers: LLD.

Betting: Home: 7/4, Draw: 7/4, Away: 7/4.

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

First Division

Home Farm will attempt to get their bid for an immediate return to the Premier Division off to a flying start at Monaghan this evening, without central defender Brendan Place, who is ruled out with an ankle injury picked up during pre-season.

"We're a Premier Division side playing in the First Division," is what manager Dermot Keely has told his side and Monaghan, who found a bit of form against Longford in midweek, will be aiming to ensure that they stay that way.

Dave Russell is Don O'Riordan's main worry for Galway ahead of this evening's game with Limerick, after the player received a knock in the face against Mervue but Billy Cleary is back for the game after suspension, while Pete Mahon adds midfielder Derek Watters to his panel for the visit of Longford tomorrow afternoon.