There are nine games in the SSE Airtricity League on Friday evening and following this week’s draw for the second round of the FAI Cup there will be even more interest in the meeting of St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers at Richmond Park.
The two South Dublin clubs were drawn against each other in the cup draw and will go into Friday’s game looking for a psychological edge ahead of their cup meeting on the last weekend of the month. The sides last met on the opening day of the season in a game that saw the Tallaght side win 1-0 thanks to a goal from Danny North.
Since then, Pat Fenlon's side have gone through the first 11 games unbeaten and lie second behind leaders Dundalk while Pat’s, after losing two of their opening three games, are unbeaten in their last eight and are just two points behind the Hoops in fourth place.
Third place Cork City could make a lot of ground over the next four days as they have two home games against Sligo Rovers on Friday and Drogheda United on Monday. The Drogheda match has been brought forward from later in the season to facilitate Cork’s European preparations and full points from the two games would guarantee Cork second place, albeit with a game more played than their immediate rivals.
Cork were denied three points at Dalymount Park last Monday by a late Adam Evans equaliser, a result that keeps Bohemians very firmly among the top five. Keith Long’s side are at home to Limerick on Friday whom they beat 3-0 at the start of the season.
The other Friday games see Derry City hosting Galway United at the Brandywell while Bray Wanderers head back to Co Louth to face Drogheda United, having shipped eight goals on their visit to Oriel Park last Monday.
Longford Town are next up for Dundalk, who are now six points clear at the top of the Premier Division. That match takes place at City Calling Stadium on Saturday evening and sees Stephen Kenny return to where he began his career as a first team manager back in 1998 at the age of 27.
In the First Division leaders Finn Harps saw their lead at the top cut to three points by a late Cabinteely equaliser last week and will look to get back on the winning track at home to bottom of the table Waterford United.
Second place Wexford Youths with just one defeat in their last seven games, meet a Cobh Ramblers side that is unbeaten in their last five while Athlone Town meet UCD and Shelbourne host Cabinteely.
FRIDAY, MAY 8
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Bohemians v Limerick, Dalymount Park, 19:45.
Cork City v Sligo Rovers, Turner’s Cross, 19:45.
Derry City v Galway United, Brandywell Stadium, 19:45.
Drogheda United v Bray Wanderers, United Park, 19:45.
St. Patrick’s Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, Richmond Park, 19:45.
SSE Airtricity League First Division
Athlone Town v UCD, Athlone Town Stadium, 19:45.
Finn Harps v Waterford United, Finn Park, 20:00.
Shelbourne v Cabinteely, Tolka Park, 20:00.
Wexford Youths v Cobh Ramblers, Ferrycarrig Park, 20:00
SATURDAY, MAY 9
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Longford Town v Dundalk, City Calling Stadium, 19:30.
MONDAY, MAY 11
SSE Airtricity League Premier Division
Cork City v Drogheda United Turner’s Cross 7.45 pm
Download the brand new GoLoud App in the Play Store & App Store right now! We've got you covered!
Subscribe to OffTheBall's YouTube channel for more videos, like us on Facebook or follow us on Twitter for the latest sporting news and content.
