Preview

National League: Premier Division - Longford Town v Kilkenny City (Flancare Park, 7.30) - Kilkenny manager Joe McGrath stood down yesterday after Sunday's 7-3 Cup defeat to Bohemians, and the club must now regroup before facing First Division football next season. Both sides expect to make changes following their contrasting Cup weekends. Longford's glorious passage through to the quarter-finals at the expense of St Patrick's Athletic has come at a cost with both central defenders, Eric Smith and Paul McNally, almost certainly out with leg injuries. Midfielder Vinny Perth is also a major doubt, having limped off with a hamstring strain. Right-back Alan Murphy strained a thigh muscle at Richmond Park but expects to be fit. Sean Riordan, Stephen Kelly and Stuart Holt come into the reckoning. For Kilkenny, Graham O'Hanlon is out with a groin injury while Derek McGrath is stuggling to shake off an ankle knock.

Last two seasons: 1999/2000: Longford Town 1 Kilkenny City 1, Kilkenny City 2 Longford Town 1, Longford Town 3 Kilkenny City 1; 2000/2001: Kilkenny City 0 Longford Town 1.

Current league form: Longford Town: WDLLW; Kilkenny City: LLLLL.

Leading scorers: Longford Town: O'Connor (five); Kilkenny City: Nine players on one goal.

Referee: Damien Hancock (Dublin).

Betting: Home: 2/5; Draw: 13/5; Away: 7/1.

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.