SOCCER/St Patrick's Athletic v Sporting Fingal:With just two wins from their last nine games, St Patrick's Athletic's status as the surprise package of the title race is pretty much dead now.

The team must briefly set aside its campaign to salvage qualification for Europe from the league in order to resume its latest attempt to end their remarkable drought in the Ford sponsored FAI Cup.

They’ll have to do it by beating Sporting Fingal at lunchtime today without either Gareth Coughlan or Paul Byrne, both of whom are out long term with injuries while David McAllister is suspended and Garret O’Connor and Chris Bennion are cup tied.

The visitors, who will bring a few former Saints back with them to Inchicore should have Shane McFaul and Ger O’Brien back from injury while Shaun Maher faces a late test on an ankle problem.

Sligo Rovers v Monaghan Utd Kick-off: Tonight, 7.45pm

Monaghan United will be looking to add to their list of conquests that includes both Dundalk and Bohemians this year when they travel to the Showgrounds this evening.

Mick Cooke’s side head into this game having won their last four in the league, moving ahead of Derry City in the race for top spot.

“The fact is that we had a lot of players out injured through the early part of the season and so the lads are actually quite fresh at the moment and you can see it in their performances,” said Cooke.

The manager has close to a full squad to choose from, although Paul Whelan and McNeill are cup tied. Rovers boss Paul Cook is without the suspended Gary McCabe while John Dillon is a major doubt with a back problem and Richie Ryan and Romauld Boco are both struggling slightly with hamstring problems.

– Emmet Malone