Shelbourne set to start Hoolahan

FAI National League Premier Division: The luxury of giving Irish under-21 international Wes Hoolahan his first start of the season may be forced on Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon as the leaders go for a fourth straight win at Drogheda United tonight.

Fenlon is conscious not to rush the skilful, but slightly built, 20-year-old into too much competitive action. He used him as a substitute in the last two games following his recovery from the slight hamstring strain which kept him out of the opening win in Waterford.

But a dead leg injury to Ollie Cahill may mean Hoolahan starts tonight in the only change from the side that had to work hard for its 3-2 win over Longford Town at Tolka Park on Tuesday. "It's nice to have maximum points from the opening three games," said Fenlon. "But we're not getting carried away. We haven't played any of the big boys yet."

Drogheda, buoyed by their 1-0 win in Derry on Tuesday, will look for an improved display from that which saw them capitulate to Waterford last week.

A lengthy casualty list of Pat Scully (calf), Mark Dempsey (foot), Aidan Lynch (knee), Brian Kelly (knee), Stephen Gray (back) and Che Bunce (flu) won't help, though, as manager Harry McCue may be obliged to go with much the same line-up as played at the Brandywell.

Another lengthy injury to a key player - left-back Ryan Casey (groin) is ruled out for up to a month - is scarcely what St Patrick's Athletic needed after their shock 4-2 defeat to Waterford.

Midfielder Davy Byrne came off after 28 minutes of that match with torn ligaments in his right ankle and is out for up to six weeks. One of three players - Keith Fahy, who replaced him at the RSC, Paul Marney or Paul Donnelly - will come into central midfield for the visit of pointless Derry City to Richmond Park.

Derry's sense of déjà vu - they also lost their opening three games last season - is not eased by strikers Liam Coyle and Tommy McCallion's continued absence due to knee ligament injuries. Meanwhile, Derry chairman Jim Roddy has denied claims the club has received an offer from Shelburne for unsettled midfielder Ciarán Martyn.

"The players have adjusted well from the first game and they understand what it's all about now," said Waterford United manager Jimmy McGeough, whose side go for a hat-trick of wins at UCD. "They know they have to be competitive if they want to win."

Left-back John Frost (hamstring) and midfielder Kevin O'Brien (ankle) are again doubtful starters, so Waterford should be unchanged from the team that beat St Patrick's.

Goalless and pointless UCD will hope Robbie Martin is fit following an ankle injury.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated) Premier Division: Drogheda United v Shelbourne (8.0) St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City, UCD v Waterford United. First Division: Finn Harps v Monaghan United (8.0).