Today

Kilkenny City v UCD

City welcome the only team they have beaten over the course of the campaign to Buckley Park this evening knowing that failure to repeat the trick would severely damage their slim chances of hauling themselves out of the bottom two.

"We know it won't be easy, though," said City manager Alfie Hale, "because we only beat them by the kick of a ball up there and to look at the reports, they played Dundalk off the pitch last week even though they lost."

The Dundalk game, not to mention the subsequent loss to Cherry Orchard in the Leinster Cup, is the focus of some concern in the students' camp. Nevertheless, Dr Tony O'Neill said: "We're not half way through the season yet and we have a good enough team to get out of trouble as long as we don't our heads."

The visitors are likely to give Terry Palmer his first league start since the defender came back from a broken shin, while Mick O'Byrne may be pushed forward into attack. For the hosts, though, there are only problems with Brendan Rea (thigh), Kevin Kelly (groin) and Tony Hall (ankle), all struggling to make it, while John Power (thigh) and Ashley Stephenson (stomach bug) are almost certainly out. John Connolly, signed this week from Athlone, will make his debut if Stephenson is out.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: UCD 1 Kilkenny 2.

Recent league form: Kilkenny DLLLL, UCD DDWLL.

Leading scorers: Kilkenny: Hale (three), UCD: Sherlock (four), Griffin (three).

Betting: Home: 11/2, Draw: 5/2, Away: 4/9. Referee: J O'Neill (Waterford).

Tomorrow

Derry City v Cork City

The FACT that Felix Healy reckons his side needs to pick up between 18 and 21 points by the end of January gives an indication of the growing sense of urgency at the Brandywell. Wins over St Patrick's Athletic and Shelbourne would have put the champions right back in the hunt, instead one point out of six has left them needing a fairly spectacular run of results over the coming weeks.

Their cause will not be helped by the loss of Robbie Brunton for six to eight weeks with torn knee ligaments, nor by shorter-term problems with Sean Hargan (hamstring) and Gary Beckett (back) which will keep them out of tomorrow's game. In their absence, Sean Gallagher is likely to deputise at left full back, with Ryan Coyle set to return up front.

Dave Barry, meanwhile, is likely to start the game with much the same team that finished against Kilkenny a week ago. John Caulfield and Derek Coughlan are both doubtful (back and ankle problems respectively), but Declan Daly and Brian Barry Murphy look to be fully fit again and should start.

"People seemed to think that the defeat by Dundalk there a couple of weeks ago was a disaster, but I think they showed with the 5-0 win over Sligo that they're a good side who'll cause a lot of people problems," said Barry. "But we came back all right from it and if we can do as well in this game as we did up there last season (they won twice), then we'll be happy."

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Derry 0 Cork 1, Cork 0 Derry 1, Cork 2 Derry 0: 97/98: Derry 0 Cork 2.

Recent league form: Derry: WWWDL; Cork: DWWLW.

Leading scorers: Derry: Hargan (five), L Coyle (four); Cork: O'Brien (five).

Betting: Home: 11/8, Draw: 7/4, Away: 2/1. Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

First Division

With Home Farm travelling to Cobh this evening, St Francis have the Dublin stage to themselves tomorrow when they entertain last weekend's big winners, Galway United.

Having taken 10 points from 12 in their last four outings, the Dubliners have transformed their standing in the table. If they can keep the run up with a win over United, they would leapfrog Don O'Riordan's team to move into fourth. The visitors, on the other hand, have the promotion places in their sights and last week's 4-1 defeat of Cobh should bring confidence after a mixed few weeks.

O'Riordan is almost certain to start with the same 11 players as last time. Pete Mahon will make one switch with top scorer Philip Gormley returning to the line up and Colm Talbot taking an enforced rest.

At the Regional Sports Centre, meanwhile, Monaghan travel for the game postponed two weeks ago. Barring injuries suffered in last night's encounters, both panels will be the same with Waterford's player-manager, Tommy Lynch, serving out the last game of his suspension.