National League Previews

Saturday (7.30)

Bohemians v UCD

Turlough O'Connor hasn't got the top four finish he wanted and the only thing he can hope for now is that his men ensure that he goes out with a win. UCD, however, have been in sparkling form over the last couple of months and still have plenty to play for in this game.

The home side will have to wait to see whether Graham Lawlor is fit enough to play this evening; the young striker damaged his knee in the 1-0 defeat by Shelbourne a couple of weeks ago, while Tommy Byrne is considered to have a 50-50 chance of playing some part in the proceedings.

O'Connor, who has had a remarkable career as a manager, probably won't be the only one parting company this evening, most of the Bohemians players are out of contract this summer and with a new manager coming in it would seem likely that there will be a considerable upheaval over the summer months. Maurice O'Driscoll and Derek Swan will, however, make their 150th and 200th appearances league respectively.

The students will more than likely field the same team that dismantled Sligo last week. Terry Palmer does have some chance of recovering in time to play but Clive Delaney is more likely to continue in the centre of defence while Tony McDonnell should be sufficiently recovered from a groin strain to start.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: UCD 0, Bohemians 2; Bohemians 1, UCD 0; UCD 1, Bohemians 2. 97/98: Bohemians 0, UCD 0; UCD 2, Bohemians 1.

Recent league form: Bohemians: WLWLL; UCD: LWWLW.

Leading scorers: Bohemians: Lawlor (11); UCD: Sherlock (12), Griffin (7).

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4. Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Derry City v Drogheda United

A crucial game for the home side who will not want to risk a two leg play-off in their current, collective, frame of mind. Tom Mohan, Craig Taggart and top scorer James Keddy are ruled out by injury but Felix Healy has an otherwise full strength side to pick from and he will have to hope that his men can do what they have failed to for the best part of the season, score some goals, against a weakened Drogheda United team.

The visitors, in fact, are missing no fewer than five of their first team panel. Joe Gallen, Martin Beggs, Greg O'Dowd and Andy Ramage are all injured while Ian Hill is suspended.

Add to that the fact that the club has chosen to let those under-age players who have been gradually intergrated into the senior side over the past couple of months play in the youth team's important league and cup matches this weekend and Martin Lawlor is struggling.

"We may be missing a few players," he says " but the fact that something depends on this game means a lot to all of the players and we'll be going out there to win. Now we'll see whether the Derry players have the spirit to raise their game and avoid the play-offs." We certainly will.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Did not meet; 97/98: Derry 4, Drogheda 1; Drogheda 0, Derry 1.

Recent league form: Derry: DWLLD; Drogheda: DDLLD.

Leading scorers: Derry: Keddy and Hargan (5 apiece); Drogheda: Gallen, J and N Reid (3 apiece).

Betting: Home: 1/3, Draw: 3/1, Away: 7/1. Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Sligo Rovers v Finn Harps

Plenty at stake here, too, with Finn Harps looking for the point that would ensure their survival in the top flight. It would be an astonishing turnaround if Harps, who appeared to be on the verge of a major step forward this year, were to end up going down now.

Prior to their cup match with Shelbourne there was confident talk about Europe and mounting a challenge for the league next year, now they face the possibility of a desperate scrap just to stay up.

The one thing going for them is that Sligo have nothing much to play for at this stage. Nicky Reid says that he'd like to go into the summer break with a win, especially after the embarrassment of last week's performance in Dublin, but he will be missing several players, including Padraig Moran, Neil Ogden and Sean Flannery and most of the team will doubtless just want today's game out of the way. Reid's opposite number, Charlie McGeever, has a full panel available for a game they must at least draw. Declan Boyle has recovered from a knock he took late on against Derry and should start while Jonathon Speak, John Gerard McGettigan and Pascal Vaudequin are all expected to be fit to start.

Last two seasons: 1996/97: Harps 1, Sligo 1; Sligo 0, Harps 2; Harps 3, Sligo 4; 97/98: Sligo 2, Harps 2; Harps 1, Sligo 1.

Recent league form: Sligo: DDLWL; Harps: DLLLD.

Leading scorers: Sligo: Moran (8), Hallows and Jones (6 apiece); Harps: Speak (9), Dowling (7).

Betting: Home: 5/6, Draw: 5/2, Away: 5/2. Referee: T Tully (Cork).