National League Previews

Today

Cork City v Sligo Rovers (3.0)

Having recovered surprisingly well from their trip to Sweden last week when they beat Finn Harps away, City will be aiming to maintain the positive start this afternoon against a Sligo side beaten by UCD in their opener.

City are still without Liam O'Brien whose hamstring problem means at least another weekend on the sidelines and Patsy Freyne is also very doubtful this time with a groin problem picked up during the win in Donegal expected to keep him out.

Kelvin Flanagan is back from suspension and could come straight in if Freyne misses out, but John Cotter, who did so well having come off the bench last weekend, may well have done enough to earn a place in the starting line-up instead.

"I think he showed that he's just as comfortable in midfield as he is up front," says manager Dave Barry, "and I was very pleased with him. Overall, though, it was a very good performance because the match in Gothenburg was a big disappointment and you're always worried after something like that about how everyone is going to react."

Sligo manager Jim McInally has Steve Birks back after injury but Sean Flannery is doubtful after the teenager picked up a concussion last weekend. Padraig Moran also picked up a groin strain and faces a late fitness test while Darren McGee, signed from Dundee during the summer, has been packed off home with instructions to get himself fitter before coming back.

Last season: Rovers 0 City 2, City 1 Rovers 0, Rovers 2 City 5.

Betting: Home: 2/5, Draw: 11/4, Away: 13/2.

Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).

Tomorrow

Derry City v Waterford United (2.0)

Floyd Gilmour and Paul Curran are the main concerns for City boss Kevin Mahon ahead of tomorrow's clash with Waterford, the pair both having picked up slight strains during last week's excellent 2-1 defeat of St Patrick's Athletic.

Gilmour (groin) is the more likely to be laid up as a result of the problem while Curran (hamstring) will have a late test and could well be involved in some way. Joe Harkin is out long term while Michael McHugh has gone to Coleraine on loan, but there is some good news with James Quigley, the midfielder recruited from Glentoran over the summer, recovered from a neck injury and expected to make his competitive debut for the club.

Waterford will have Sean Riordan back from suspension and he is likely to go straight into the starting line up but Christian Hislop is ruled out by an Achilles tendon so John Frost will come in.

"Last week was disappointing," says manager Mike Flanagan "because we finished so well last season and there's a natural expectation that we'll start off in the same way this time. Nobody really performed, though, and we'll be looking for a lot better in this game."

Last season: United 1 City 2, City 1 United 0, United 1 City 0.

Betting: Home: 2/5, Draw: 11/4, Away: 13/2.

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps

A flying start by Rovers, but it will be interesting to see how they get on against a Harps side stung by their defeat at the hands of Cork City. "It was wonderful," says Damien Richardson "and it's always encouraging when you score four and your established scorer doesn't get on the scoresheet. Nobody needs to tell us that it was only one game, though." For this game Richardson has Marc Kenny back from suspension but Jason Sherlock is out with a groin strain and Jason Colwell is doubtful due to a dead leg. Richie Purdy came through a reserve game in midweek without any problems but he is not yet considered fit enough for first team action while Brian Byrne, whose fitness is also still being worked on, will probably start on the bench again.

If Kenny starts then Richardson will probably play with three in the centre of midfield and use wing backs rather than that 4-4-2 employed last week.

Harps have James Mulligan and Tom Mohan back in the squad after injury while 20 year-old midfielder Gerard McGrenaghan, signed this week, is also included in the squad. Manager Charlie McGeever may look to make changes in one or two departments after last week's disappointment and Mulligan may well come back in but it is not likely to be at the expense of young Kevin McHugh whose fine pre-season form continued into last week with the goal against Cork.

Last season: Harps 2 Rovers 1, Rovers 2 Harps 0, Harps 4 Rovers 1.

Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/4.

Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

First Division

After A grim enough start to the new campaign, Terry Eviston has moved to strengthen his panel at Oriel Park where striker Gavin Moore from Home Farm Fingal and Shamrock Rovers midfielder Brian Morrisroe have been drafted in ahead of tomorrow's game against Longford.

Both will probably play for the Lilywhites who are still without central defenders Paul Whelan (suspended) and Padraig Staunton, who is on trial at Celtic.

Longford are without Paul Perth (suspended) as well as Paul McNally, Shane Brennan and John Rogers all of whom are injured.

Bray, meanwhile, have confirmed that they have been given permission by UEFA to stage next Thursday's home leg of their European tie against Grasshoppers at the Carlisle Grounds.

It is the first time that a European game will have been played at the venue and a number of senior international players will be on display. Admission will cost £7 for adults and £3 for children.

Fixtures - Today: Home Farm Fingal v Cobh Ramblers (7.30); Tomorrow: Bray Wanderers v Kilkenny City (3.15), Dundalk v Longford Town (2.45).