Premier Division

Tonight

Drogheda Utd v Cork City, (United Park, 7.30)

Top versus bottom and on the respective form shown so far by these two it could well stay that way. Cork are quietly confident that they've got it right from the start. Not that it could have been any worse than last season when they lost their opening four games.

Three wins and not a goal conceded has Dave Barry's side buzzing and there's a balance to his team that looks right. They've exercised efficiency over ruthlessness so far, and their 2-0 win at a canter over champions Derry City last week will have given them any extra confidence they needed.

Barry is still without midfielder Dave Hill who is struggling with medial ligament trouble in a knee so Kelvin Flanagan will continue alongside Mark Herrick in the centre of midfield.

Patsy Freyne remains sidelined with a similar injury.

"It's ironic that we are now on the verge of winning four in a row after losing the first four last season," said Barry wryly.

Drogheda's problems seem only to mount. Manager Martin Lawlor had to watch his side torn apart by Shelbnourne last week and then count the added cost of injuries.

Goalkeeper, Eddie van Boxtel, Bobby Browne, David Fairclough and Roy Fox are all struggling to be fit.

Drogheda's woes continued in mid-week when they threw away a 2-0 lead to lose 4-2 to Shamrock Rovers in a Leinster Cup match. But Lawlor isn't panicking yet.

Last season: Did not meet.

League Cup/League form: Drogheda: WL/LLL; Cork: WD/WWW.

Leading league scorers: Drogheda: Coady (one), Cork: Kabia and O'Brien (two each).

Betting: Home: 6/1, Draw: 5/2, Away: 1/2.

Referee: Brendan Barry (Waterford)

Derry City v UCD, (Brandywell, 7.30)

UCD had another poor display in losing 2-1 at home to promoted Kilkenny City last week and can expect little mercy as Derry try to win their first game since beating Celtic in the international club tournament over two months ago.

Derry manager Felix Healy has cited their pre-season adventures at Lansdowne Road and in Europe as the reason for his side's poor early season form.

"I have said to my players that it's very hard to switch off and switch back on again," said Healy. "We played Celtic, Newcastle and then Maribor in Europe and then had to come back to the domestic game.

"There was always a price to be paid. We also have had injuries and that's why we're in the situation we're in."

Derry are definitely without the most influential Paul Hegarty who jarred his knee for the second time in a week against Cork last Sunday and Tom Mohan needs three further weeks of rest to recover from a hepititis scare.

Healy's options without those two are to slot Eamonn Doherty into midfield.

UCD have been trying to play a little to much football and that's their problem, according to manager, Theo Dunne.

The Students hope to have a fully fit Declan Fitzgerald back tonight while Eoin Bennis, who strained his groin last week during a fine personal performance, is expected to be okay.

Last season: UCD 1 Derry 0, Derry 5 UCD 0, UCD 0 Derry 1.

League Cup/League form: Derry: DL/DDL; UCD: LD/LDL.

Leading league scorers: Derry: L. Coyle and Hutton (one each); UCD: Bennis and Sherlock (one each).

Betting: Home: 2/5, Draw: 3/1, Away: 6/1.

Referee: Gerry Perry (Dublin).

Kilkenny City v Sligo Rovers, (Buckley Park, 7.30)

Sligo manager Nicky Reid has been pleasantly surprised by the standard in the National League. Bohemians particularly impressed him when they visited the Showgrouds in the opening game.

What didn't impress him was his own side's performance last week. He had a go at his players after they threw away a 2-0 lead to then have to come back and rescue a point in a 3-3 draw with Dundalk.

Kilkenny are again without Martin Reid who serves the second week of his suspension so Brian Barry should continue to deputise in the left-back position.

Kilkenny manger Alfie Hale reackons that the key to his side consolidating their Premier Division status is to pick up points against the mid-table sides like UCD, Dundalk and tonight's visitors. "I said that I'd be disappointed if we hadn't won after six games," said Hale. "But we've already got our first win under our belts and proved that we are good enough to be where we are."

Last season: Did not meet.

League Cup/League form: Kilkenny: DL/LLW; Sligo: DW/DDD.

Leading league scorers: Kilkenny: Hale (three); Sligo: Rose (two).

Betting: Home: 9/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: evens.

Referee: Jim O'Reilly (Dublin).

Tomorrow

Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps, (Tolka Park, 3.15)

Switched from Friday night to facilitate RTE television which will scene highlights later in the evening. Rovers made up in resilience and perseverence for what they lacked in skill and guile to earn a scarcely deserved point in their derby with Bohemians last week to keep their unbeaten start intact.

Manager Mick Byrne is struggling in defence with Richie Purdy (back) and Tommy Dunne (groin) carrying knocks.

Finn Harps manager Charlie McGeever is keen to sign two more players to complete his team building. "Though I think we've a far better side than last year I still believe we're in transition. But I'd like to think that in a month's time we'll be a different proposition," said McGeever.

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

League Cup/League form: Rovers: LD/WDD; Harps: WD/WLL.

Leading league scorers: Rovers: Cousins, Kenny, Morrisroe, O'Neill and Tracey (all one each); Harps: McGettigan (two).

Betting: Home: 8/13, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/2.

Referee: John Feighery (Dublin).

First Division

St Francis officially open their refurbished ground at John Hyland Park, Baldonnel, for the visit of Monaghan United in the top game in the First Division tomorrow.

Captain Bernard Connolly, who fractured his leg at Bray a fortnight ago, is a big loss to St Francis who have signed a striker, Trevor Cummins, from Neilstown Rangers.

Monaghan's good form is being tested by a continuing injury crisis. Mick Scully (groin) and Mark Devlin (knee) are definitely out while Lee King (calf) and Neil Dowling (ankle) again may have to carry injuries into another match.

Bottom of the table Cobh Ramblers will be hoping to kick start their league season after three straight defeats. They entertain Galway United, themselves humbled 4-1 at home by Bray last week, at St Colman's Park tonight.

Athlone Town were clinically punished at set pieces by St Francis last week and are perhaps glad to be facing Longford Town.