Derry looking to join St Patrick’s at the top of the table

Derry City can join St Patrick's Athletic at the top of the Premier Division table this evening if they can beat Dundalk at the Brandywell where a four-goal winning margin would put the Northerners' noses fractionally ahead of their Dublin rivals.

Declan Devine will again be without Dermot McCaffery and Thomas Crawley while Ruaidhrí Higgins and Seán Houston face late fitness tests.

A point further back, Sligo can also make progress on the leaders with a win in Cork but Ian Baraclough is missing Aaron Greene, Danny Ventre and Raffaele Cretaro due to injuries. Anthony Elding returns from suspension while David McMillan is available after signing and with Danny North’s return to fitness the manager has plenty of attacking options.

Tommy Dunne has a new signing of his own in Ciarán Kilduff but doubts about Gearoid Morrissey and Daryl Kavanagh come on top of a long list of injury problems.

Eamon Zayed is unlikely to feature for Shamrock Rovers given his international clearance must come through but Jason McGuinness is back from injury as Trevor Croly and his men head to the Carlisle Grounds to face Bray who have Dave Webster suspended but Gary Dempsey is available again.

Bohemians should have Dave Mulcahy and Derek Pender back for the visit of Limerick while the visitors are set to be without Rory Gaffney, in addition to long term absentees Pat Purcell and Steven McGann but Davie O'Leary and Shane Tracy should play.
FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated): Premier Division – Bohemians v Limerick, Bray Wanderers v Shamrock Rovers, Cork City v Sligo Rovers, Derry City v Dundalk, First Division – Finn Harps v Cobh Ramblers (8.0), Wexford Youths v Athlone Town (8.0).