Derry City v Shelbourne (Brandywell, 3.15)

"Shelbourne are up there to be shot at," says Derry manager Kevin Mahon, before confidently suggesting their 20-match unbeaten run has to end somewhere, and that somewhere may as well be the Brandywell.

"They haven't been defeated and we would like to be the first team to beat them this season, that's our priority," he added.

Apart from the long term injured Sean Gallagher, Joe Harkin and James Quigley, Derry's only absentee tomorrow will be striker Michael McHugh; scarcely a problem with Gary Beckett there to partner Liam Coyle in attack.

Shelbourne's regular, though goal-shy, strike-force of Stephen Geoghegan and Garry Haylock should team up again after recovering from respective groin strains. Manager Dermot Keely is clearly still perturbed by their lack of goals as ex-Scotland international striker John McGinley's arrival on trial next week indicates.

Mark Hutchinson has complete his move from Finn Harps and is included in the panel. James Keddy returns from the flu leaving Tony McCarthy the only doubt with a hamstring twinge.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Derry City 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 2 Derry City 0, Derry City 1 Shelbourne 0; 1999/2000: Shelbourne 2 Derry City 0.

Current league form: Derry City: WLWWL; Shelbourne: WWWDW.

Leading league scorers: Derry City: Beckett, Coyle and McCaul (three each); Shelbourne: Fenlon and S. Geoghegan (four each).

Referee: G Perry (Dublin).

Betting: Home: 13/8; Draw: 2/1; Away: 11/8.

Drogheda United v Cork City (United Park, 3.15)

Ray Wallace and Chris Roberts make their debuts for Drogheda as Eddie May continues to fashion the team. Drogheda haven't scored in their last five games, and Roberts, a 20-year-old striker on a two month loan from Cardiff City, will be expected to alter that.

Wallace, twin of Rangers' striker Rod, though nominally a full back in his time at Southampton, Leeds and most recently Stoke, has been signed as a midfielder.

"We'd still like to be in the cup," said May, "but at least now we can focus fully on getting ourselves off the bottom of the table."

Cork's league and cup wins over Shamrock Rovers have re-ignited their challenge after a run of five games without a win.

"Shelbourne are in the driving seat," said manager Dave Barry, "but there are far too many points to be played for to be talking about conceding the title at this stage."

Colin O'Brien (calf) and Anthony Buckley (ankle) are Cork's main doubts while Johnny Glynn returns to the panel after flu.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Did not meet. 1999/2000: Cork City 3 Drogheda United 0.

Current League form: Drogheda United: LLDDL; Cork City: LLDLW.

Leading league scorers: Droghed United: M. Byrne (five); Cork City: Morley (13).

Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).

Betting: Home: 10/3; Draw: 9/4; Away: 11/8.

Shamrock Rovers v St Patrick's Ath (Morton Stadium, 2.00)

Out of the FAI Cup, and with retaining their title surely beyond them, St. Patrick's Athletic have further reason to feel sorry for themselves with a long list of injuries.

Colin Hawkins and Paul Osam are causing most concern as their respective ankle and hip injuries are not responding to treatment. Stephen McGuinness (hamstring) is almost certainly out tomorrow while Willie Burke (leg) and Barry Prenderville (back) are very doubtful.

Manager Pat Dolan is thus hoping to get the go ahead to play Packie Lynch, who suffered concussion on Friday week last, to patch up his defence. Alan McNevin returns from suspension to give options in midfield and attack.

Rovers are more favourably off with the experienced Marc Kenny and Richie Purdy returning from suspension.

Purdy should slot straight into central defence in place of Shane Jackson who strained a calf muscle in Cork on Wednesday.

Sean Francis has a slight groin strain but should be fit to play while, Tony Cousins will feature at some stage as he recovers from a minor knee operation.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Shamrock Rovers 2 St. Patrick's Athletic 1, St. Patrick's Athletic 3 Shamrock Rovers 0, Shamrock Rovers 0 St. Patrick's Athletic 1. 1999/2000: St. Patrick's Athletic 1 Shamrock Rovers 1.

Current league form: Shamrock Rovers: DLWWL; St. Patrick's Athletic: WLLLW.

Leading league scorers: Shamrock Rovers: Woods (six); St. Patrick's Athletic: Hallows (five).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Betting: Home: 6/4; Draw: 11/5; Away: 6/4.

Waterford United v UCD (RSC, 3.15)

Waterford re-focus on the league after their FAI cup exit to First Division Longford on Tuesday.

Manager Mike Flanagan will at least pick a stronger team with central defenders Tim McGrath and Sean Riordan back from flu and John Frost over a hamstring strain.

"It was disappointing to go out of the cup, but we must pick up on the good form we had been showing in the league and build on that to get further up the table," said Flanagan.

UCD suffered a few knocks in their 4-0 win at Monaghan last week.

Captain Aidan Lynch is doubtful with a groin injury while manager Martin Moran must also wait on his central midfield pairing of Ciaran Kavanagh and Ciaran Martyn, who have been receiving intensive treatment this week on neck and leg injuries respectively.

Last two seasons: 1998/99: Waterford United 1 UCD 0, UCD 1 Waterford United 1, Waterford United 1 UCD 2; 1999/2000: UCD 2 Waterford United 2.

Current league form: Waterford United: DWDWL; UCD: LDDWL.

Leading league scorers: Waterford United: Grant and Markey (three each); UCD: Martyn (five).

Referee: A O'Regan (Cork)

Betting: Home: 6/4; Draw: 5/2; Away: 7/2.

FAI CUP

Second Round replay: Rockmount v Clonmel Town (1.30).

First Division

Today (7.30): Cobh Ramblers v Athlone Town, Kilkenny City v Dundalk, Longford Town v Limerick FC. Tomorrow: Monaghan United v Bray Wanderers (3.15).