Shelbourne can climb back into title race

National League Preview / Shelbourne v Derry: After five successive wins, Shelbourne travel to Derry this evening knowing a win would confirm their re-emergence as title contenders and considerably increase the pressure on the other team at the top, Cork City, who play UCD at Turner's Cross on Sunday.

The Dubliners took some time to rediscover their form, but Pat Fenlon's side have looked impressive recently, racking up big wins both home and away thanks, in no small part, to Jason Byrne, who has been averaging a couple of goals a game.

"I'm sure the lads down there would have been under a huge amount of pressure a few weeks ago when things weren't going so well for them," says Derry defender Peter Hutton, who had a spell with the Tolka Park outfit, "but they've shown a huge amount of character with the way they've come back into things.

"Coming here they're under pressure in one way, because they're so close to the top of the table again, but in another way they've nothing to prove because they've already been written off by so many people."

City have done well against Fenlon's side this season and the prospect of putting nine points between themselves and the defending champions will be enough, says manager Stephen Kenny, to fire up his players.

"Shelbourne are playing very well, but a win would put us in a very strong position and that's the incentive for everyone around the place."

For club veterans like Hutton, there is also a feeling that the fans are finally getting the reward they deserve for the support they've shown over the years, and there is a real sense of excitement both on the pitch and in the stands that the team can build on last week's league cup success at Belfield.

"Obviously it's hard not to think about winning the league and cup, but it's important for us to keep our feet on the ground and concentrate on this one game for the moment," says Hutton. "Just to be in this position is great, though, and it's overdue to the fans who have turned out in large numbers for us before only to be let down a little at times by the football we produced."

Behind the top three, Longford and Drogheda United are among the sides with their eye on a fourth-place finish, and both could advance their cause with away wins at Rovers and Bray respectively.

Alan Matthews must go to Dalymount without Davy Byrne, Dessie Baker or John Martin, while Barry Ferguson is among the long-term absentees because of injury. But Shane Barrett is back in contention to start after being sidelined since May.

At the Carlisle Grounds, meanwhile, Brian McGovern (knee), Jody Lynch (hamstring) and Graham O'Hanlon (suspension) will be missing, leaving the home side with particular problems in central defence.

At the foot of the table, Waterford prepare for a home game against Bohemians with Sean Finn and John Lester carrying knocks, while John Hayes and Ian Ryan are doubts with hamstring and groin strains respectively.