Premier Division Today, Cork City v St Patrick's Ath (Turner's Cross, 3.00)
Dave Barry won't need reminding that these were the games in which Cork City lost the league last season.
St Patrick's won all three league outings against their only rivals in the race for the title and their three-point winning margin at the finish meant that the top two would have been reversed if Cork had managed to win just one of those meetings.
Stephen Napier, who tore a hamstring last week, is out for three weeks with Greg O'Halloran likely to come into a reshaped defence.
Paul Osam is back in training for St Patrick's following an Achilles strain but is still a week or two away from playing. Willie Burke (Achilles) and Shane Harte (ankle) are also still sidelined. Colin Hawkins returns from under-21 duty and should come straight back into defence.
Last season: St Patrick's Athletic 2 Cork City 0, Cork City 1 St Patrick's Athletic 2, St Patrick's Athletic 1 Cork City 0.
Current league form: Cork City: WLW; St Patrick's Athletic: LDW.
Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.
Referee: J Feighery (Dublin).
Finn Harps v Shelbourne (Finn Park, 7.30)
It's been a dreadful few months for Finn Harps with a start of three successive league defeats following on from their FAI Cup loss at the end of last season.
Finn Harps will make changes as they try to end a run of three successive defeats. Jonathan Speak, or Kevin McHugh, will come in for Eamonn Sheridan up front. Johnny Kenny is doubtful and could be replaced by Tom Mohan if he has recovered from a thigh strain.
Tony McCarthy returns to central defence for Shelbourne having missed the United Park game due to suspension while Owen Heary is also back following injury. Garry Haylock is doubtful with a knee injury with John Powell likely to come in to partner Stephen Geoghegan.
Last season: Shelbourne 0 Finn Harps 0, Finn Harps 3 Shelbourne 2, Shelbourne 2 Finn Harps 0.
Current league form: Finn Harps: LLL; Shelbourne: DWD.
Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 11/5, Away: 6/4.
Referee: G Perry (Dublin).
Sligo Rovers v Drogheda Utd (Showgrounds, 7.30)
Jim Sheridan, who has a hamstring injury, is Sligo's only absentee tonight, while Drogheda have Darren O'Keeffe back from suspension.
Peter McDonald, a defender released by Celtic during the summer, is set for a debut having signed for Drogheda during the week. Nigerian striker, Okechukwu Maduka, also joins the squad having been given a month to impress.
Last season: Did not meet.
Current league form: Sligo Rovers: LWL; Drogheda United: LDL.
Betting: Home: 4/9, Draw: 5/2, Away: 6/1.
Referee: T Tully (Cork).
Tomorrow
Shamrock Rvs v Waterford Utd (Morton Stadium, 3.00)
Transfer listed striker Brendan Markey gets the chance to prove his future could still be with Shamrock Rovers.
With Sean Francis out with a hamstring strain, 23-year-old Markey is set to partner Tony Cousins in Rovers attack.
Talented midfielder Marc Kenny is another player who has shown he is prepared to fight for his place in the team with impressive displays against Finn Harps and again in Derry last week.
Kenny is expected to keep his place in the centre of midfield with Jason Colwell again on the bench.
Waterford will hope to build on three successive wins, albeit two of which were against Newbridge and a weakened Longford in the League Cup.
Last season: Waterford United 1 Shamrock Rovers 1, Shamrock Rovers 0 Waterford United 0, Waterford United 1 Shamrock Rovers 0.
Current league form: Shamrock Rovers: WWL; Waterford United: LLW.
Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 12/5, Away: 9/2.
Referee: E Barr (Dublin).
UCD v Galway United (Belfield, 3.15)
Galway manager Don O'Riordan has told his players that last week's 4-1 defeat to Cork City was their realistic introduction to the Premier Division.
"A five minutes spell in the second-half proved that any mistakes will be punished," said O'Riordan. "The question is how do we react to it and ensure it doesn't happen again."
UCD were without Ciaran Kavanagh (toe injury) and Peter Hanrahan (groin) for Tuesday's League Cup defeat in Bray, but both hope to be fit.
Striker Ollie Keogh (ankle) and goalkeeper Eddie Hickey (eye injury) are doubtful for Galway.
Last seaon: Did not meet.
Current league form: UCD: WDD; Galway United: DDL.
Betting: Home: 4/7, Draw: 12/5, Away: 9/2.
Referee: R O'Hanlon (Waterford).
