ALL EYES WILL be on Richmond Park tonight as Premier Division leaders St Patrick’s Athletic welcome Dundalk, who only trail their title rivals by goal difference.
The Lilywhites are currently in excellent form and come into the fixture on the back of six consecutive wins – including last weekend’s 5-1 drubbing of Shelbourne in the FAI Ford Cup quarter-finals (Kurtis Byrne’s goal from the halfway line is worth checking out).
The Saints, meanwhile, lost out to Shamrock Rovers in the last eight of the cup and will be hoping to make amends by taking points off Dundalk for the first time this season having gone down 2-1 in their two previous meetings.
2. Relegation six-pointer at Tolka
New Bohemians manager Bobby Browne will have his first taste of football with the club in a significant game at the bottom of the table. Bohs, sitting just two points off basement club Shelbourne, make the short trip to Tolka Park in search of a much-needed three points.
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The Gypsies have announced that former Drogheda and Monaghan boss Browne will take charge of the team for the remainder of the season starting tonight but he will rely on the Owen Heary’s knowledge after only being appointed yesterday.
3. Bray seeking vital points
Holders Derry City will not be retaining their FAI Cup after going out last weekend and will now focus solely on trying to earn a top-three finish. The Candystripes welcome Bray Wanderers to the Brandywell but have a raft of players missing through injury.
The Seagulls lie second from bottom and are desperately searching for points to take them away from the drop zone with games running out.
“This is a game that we need to be in the right frame of mind for, Bray are coming here to Derry fighting for their lives and with some quality players in their squad they can cause any team real problems,” said Derry boss Declan Devine.
We know our home form hasn’t been anywhere near good enough this season, but we get a chance on Friday to set that straight as we try to salvage a European place for next season.”
4. Sligo still in with a shout
While first meet second, Sligo Rovers, five points back in third, will aim to close the gap at the top with a win away to UCD.
With just six fixtures left, the Bit O’Red must win tonight to keep their hopes of claiming a second consecutive title alive while the Students will want to pull themselves that bit further way from the relagation places.
“Much of the pressure is now on the two teams above us and the attention outside of Sligo will be there on Friday,” said Sligo boss Ian Baraclough.
“The incentive for us is the potential to be closers to the leaders if we do our job so our focus will be coming away with the win.”
5. Cooke’s future unclear ahead of cup final
In response to last week’s announcement by Drogheda United that they will not be renewing Mick Cooke’s contract next season, the Drogs boss has revealed that although he has received offers from the US and England, his first choice would be to remain at the Louth club.
The 62-year-old has worked wonders since taking over in 2011 and has the chance to win back-to-back EA Sports Cups when he leads his side into tomorrow’s final in Tallaght.
The last time the two clubs met in a cup final, the Hoops ran out 7-1 winners in the Setanta Cup showcase back in May but it certain to be considerably closer on Saturday.
5 things to look out for in this weekend's Airtricity League games
1. Top two face off
ALL EYES WILL be on Richmond Park tonight as Premier Division leaders St Patrick’s Athletic welcome Dundalk, who only trail their title rivals by goal difference.
The Lilywhites are currently in excellent form and come into the fixture on the back of six consecutive wins – including last weekend’s 5-1 drubbing of Shelbourne in the FAI Ford Cup quarter-finals (Kurtis Byrne’s goal from the halfway line is worth checking out).
The Saints, meanwhile, lost out to Shamrock Rovers in the last eight of the cup and will be hoping to make amends by taking points off Dundalk for the first time this season having gone down 2-1 in their two previous meetings.
2. Relegation six-pointer at Tolka
New Bohemians manager Bobby Browne will have his first taste of football with the club in a significant game at the bottom of the table. Bohs, sitting just two points off basement club Shelbourne, make the short trip to Tolka Park in search of a much-needed three points.
The Gypsies have announced that former Drogheda and Monaghan boss Browne will take charge of the team for the remainder of the season starting tonight but he will rely on the Owen Heary’s knowledge after only being appointed yesterday.
3. Bray seeking vital points
Holders Derry City will not be retaining their FAI Cup after going out last weekend and will now focus solely on trying to earn a top-three finish. The Candystripes welcome Bray Wanderers to the Brandywell but have a raft of players missing through injury.
The Seagulls lie second from bottom and are desperately searching for points to take them away from the drop zone with games running out.
“This is a game that we need to be in the right frame of mind for, Bray are coming here to Derry fighting for their lives and with some quality players in their squad they can cause any team real problems,” said Derry boss Declan Devine.
4. Sligo still in with a shout
While first meet second, Sligo Rovers, five points back in third, will aim to close the gap at the top with a win away to UCD.
With just six fixtures left, the Bit O’Red must win tonight to keep their hopes of claiming a second consecutive title alive while the Students will want to pull themselves that bit further way from the relagation places.
“Much of the pressure is now on the two teams above us and the attention outside of Sligo will be there on Friday,” said Sligo boss Ian Baraclough.
“The incentive for us is the potential to be closers to the leaders if we do our job so our focus will be coming away with the win.”
5. Cooke’s future unclear ahead of cup final
In response to last week’s announcement by Drogheda United that they will not be renewing Mick Cooke’s contract next season, the Drogs boss has revealed that although he has received offers from the US and England, his first choice would be to remain at the Louth club.
The 62-year-old has worked wonders since taking over in 2011 and has the chance to win back-to-back EA Sports Cups when he leads his side into tomorrow’s final in Tallaght.
The last time the two clubs met in a cup final, the Hoops ran out 7-1 winners in the Setanta Cup showcase back in May but it certain to be considerably closer on Saturday.
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