National League Previews

Dundalk v Bohemians

The defensive problems continue for Martin Murray's side with Liam Dunne and Noel Melvin both struggling in the aftermath of the weekend's draw at Longford with ankle injuries.

On the brighter side Aaron O'Callaghan returns from suspension but Stephen McGuinness is still banned while Stuart Connolly continues to await his clearance to play so Murray will again be short of options.

Pete Mahon, meanwhile, is fairly much falling down with them as only Kevin Hunt is unavailable for the champions. Still, he insists, after seeing his side earn a rather comfortable win against Monaghan over the weekend there won't be too much agonising before he names his starting line-up for this evening's shot trip up the M1.

"We trained this morning," he said yesterday, "and everybody looked fine so barring something very unexpected we'll be unchanged in Oriel because you never change a winning team."

Last season: Did not meet.

League form: Dundalk: LDWDD, Bohemians: WWWLW.

Leading scorers: Dundalk: Prizeman (two), Bohemians: Crowe (four).

Referee: D McKeon (Dublin).

Monaghan Utd v St Patrick's Athletic

The struggle continues for Bobby Browne and a Monaghan team that is quickly slipping into a position from which there will be little hope of escape. It's early days, of course, but what with the extra automatic relegation place and the chronic lack of goals from his side, the United manager sounds concerned and with good cause.

"We actually played well enough against Bohemians on Saturday but we'd conceded two goals in the first 10 or 15 minutes and you can't give the best team in the country a two-goal start and expect to come away with anything," he says.

"St Pat's will be tough too, they're very strong and they'll give us problems but we've got to go into every game at the moment looking to take points. We've got to get some points on the board."

Mick Scully (back) and Derek McGrath (hamstring) are both expected to miss out this evening while Brian Mooney ('flu) and Darren McKenna (groin) are doubtful. That should mean last week's new signings will again be involved against the Dubliners despite the fact Browne acknowledges that they badly need to get a couple of games under their belts before they will be fully fit.

St Patrick's may well be unchanged from Saturday evening when they beat Bray 2-0 thanks to goals from Paul Osam and Mbabazi. Osam appeared to come through the game without any problems despite having had a knee trouble beforehand and Pat Dolan appeared happy enough with the display to suggest that he will not be making any switches.

Last season: Did not meet.

League form: United: LDLLL, St Patrick's: DWDLW.

Leading scorers: United: Vaughan (one), St Patrick's: Osam, Mbabazi and Kelly (two apiece).

Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).

Shelbourne v Derry City

The defeat in Cork may have been a setback but Dermot Keely maintains his was the better side at Turner's Cross on Sunday and so he is likely to stick as closely as possible to the line-up that started there.

He may have to make a couple of changes, though, as Kevin Doherty and Brian Byrne both look set to miss the visit of Derry, a club who did much to scupper their hosts league aspirations last season when they took five points from their three games against the Tolka Park outfit.

Defensively, Doherty's absence would prompt a straight swap with Tony McCarthy returning from suspension and able to take over alongside Peter Hutton while Jim Gannon continues to nurse an injury.

City, meanwhile, have Gary Beckett back after a family bereavement but Kevin Mahon has slight doubts about the fitness of Liam Coyle and Sean Hargan (both hamstring) as well as Eamon Doherty (calf).

Striker, Derek Philips, has signed until the end of the season for the Brandywell club after impressing during his initial loan spell and Mahon remains upbeat about the trip to Drumcondra, arguing that while his side has already lost twice in the capital this season, they have battled well enough on each occasion.

Last season: City 1 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 0 City 1, City 3 Shelbourne 3.

League form: Shelbourne: DDWWL, City: WLWLW.

Leading scorers: Shelbourne: D Baker (two), City: T McCallion and Hughes (two apiece).

Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Galway United v Cork City United may be without goalkeeper Eddie Hickey after the former Limerick player was on the receiving end of a knee in the back against UCD last week. Nigel Keady is also very doubtful due to a stomach bug. While Mark Cobey looks to claim the number one jersey there may have to be a bit of juggling in front of him as Billy Clery switches from central attack to central defence and Darragh Sheridan moves sideways to right back. That, in turn, would probably mean Bobby Ryan partnering Ollie Keogh up front.

"We've done well in our last two games, taking four points and playing well, which is pleasing, now the challenge is to transfer that away form to Terryland where I think the lads have been feeling the pressure a bit more."

Another result would certainly maintain Galway's momentum but their record against Cork City over the past couple of seasons is simply dismal and so Liam Murphy will travel with high hopes of scoring a third successive win.

His side will have to earn it without James Mulligan, though, as the striker is not expected to recover from a dead leg he picked up against Shelbourne on Sunday afternoon. Colin P O'Brien, who came off the bench for Mulligan and ended up scoring the winner, may start but there is competition from Stephen O'Flynn, Noel Hartigan and Anthony O'Shea, all of whom will be hoping to partner likely starter, Pat Morley, in attack.

Last season: City 2 United 0, United 0 City 2, City 3 United 1.

League form: United: LDLDW, City: LDLWW.

Leading scorers: United: Murphy (two), City: Cahill (three).

Referee: J Stacey (Westmeath).