Last Friday’s 1-0 victory over Finn Harps at Turner’s Cross marked a series of firsts for Cork City this season: First win, first goal, and first clean sheet.

For Cork City, it’s now six games without a win under Neale Fenn and four games in succession without a goal.

Ask skipper Conor McCarthy if he can bring himself to sum up Cork City’s season of discontent and he doesn’t mince his words.

Dundalk may well enjoy playing on the Brandywell’s big pitch, but Declan Devine insists the league leaders won’t find his Derry City a soft touch when they revisit Foyleside tonight.

Aaron Greene sent Shamrock Rovers returning to Dublin on a high last night, the lone striker having silenced a Brandywell crowd of 3,500 with the game’s only goal.

Declan Devine has made a trio of new signings at Derry City.

Cobh Ramblers captain Shane O’Connor believes his side are ready to create a shock when they take on Derry City in the EA Sports Cup final on Sunday afternoon.

Dundalk’s ‘bouncebackability’ will be put to the test against Limerick at the Market’s Field tonight, as the Premier Division leaders resume their quest to dethrone champions Cork City who currently trail them by just three points.

Ten years after leaving Derry City, McCourt is to rejoin the Brandywell club.

Meanwhile, Waterford stay third after a last-gasp Gary McCabe penalty secured a 2-2 draw for bottom-side Bray.

Cork City boss John Caulfield does not expect to be doing any business in the transfer window at the end of next month because “we have no money”.

Cork City boss John Caulfield believes playing on all-weather pitches has given title rivals Dundalk a distinct advantage and expects Derry City to reap the rewards this year too.

Cork City boss John Caulfield believes Conor McCormack was “targeted” against Dundalk at the weekend and will restore faith in his skipper as the champions face Shamrock Rovers at Turner’s Cross this evening (7.45pm).

Dery City will make an emotional return to the Brandywell on Friday.

The full house signs on the approaches to Dalymount Park for tonight’s derby meeting of Bohemians and Shamrock Rovers sit comfortably with a domestic game that is once again allowing itself to embrace a guarded sense of optimism. 

There was heartbreak for Galway United tonight as they make the drop to the First Division of the SSE Airtricity League next season despite a brave second-half comeback.

Last night the League of Ireland’s top two produced the latest episode of their ongoing anthology and there’ll be plenty more chapters to run.

Ryan Delaney will be staying at Cork City until the end of the season.

If football is played in Heaven, then God is now rubbing his hands, writes Chris Ashmore.

Skipper Gerard Doherty believes Derry City can follow the path of Munster Rugby to reignite their League of Ireland title tilt in the wake of the tragic death of Ryan McBride.

The second half of the season is where “the real action starts”.

Derry City 0 Shamrock Rovers 0: Keith Fahey may have blotted his copybook at the Brandywell last night having been sent off, but Shamrock Rovers will not be too unhappy with their former international as they took a point in Derry.

Dundalk and Cork City resume their title tilt this evening, with the leaders away to UCD and the Leesiders at home to Sligo Rovers.

A quick turnaround before Monday night’s clash with Bray Wanderers won’t affect Cork City manager John Caulfield’s team selection for tonight’s trip to Derry City (kick-off 7.45pm).

Derry City boss, Peter Hutton, insists local players competing in Europe should "enjoy every minute of the experience" as he prepares his troops for the visit of Shakhtyor Soligorsk, from Belarus, to the Brandywell this evening.

SSE AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION:

Drogheda United manager Mick Cooke has expressed strong interest in the vacant positions at Cork City and Derry City.

Pat Hoban scored twice as Dundalk maintained their fine form to beat Shamrock Rovers 3-1 at Oriel Park to move to within a point of leaders St. Patrick's Athletic at the top of the Premier Division table.

Derry City 0 Trabzonspor 3

Derry City boss Declan Devine will have his fingers firmly crossed that top hitman, Rory Patterson, will pass a pre-match test for tonight’s Europa League home fixture against Trabzonspor (kick-off 7.45pm).

AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION:

Cork City have been fined by the FAI after one of its supporters racially abused Bray Wanderers player Ismahil Akinade at last week’s home game at Turners Cross.

AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION

Derry City recorded their first victory at the Brandywell since May 21 following their deserved win over Bohemians last night.

Airtricity Premier Division leaders Sligo Rovers, bidding for a first league success since 1978, can keep on course for the title by collecting another vital three points in tonight’s clash with Shelbourne at Tolka Park (8 pm).

Stephen Kenny will live to fight another day as Rovers boss having recorded a vital victory at his former stomping ground last night.

Gavin Brennan punished a struggling Derry City at the Brandywell last night, the Drogheda winger plundering a brace in what will prove a morale-boosting victory.

Derry City will be looking to forget their midweek trouncing at Sligo Rovers and halt Drogheda United’s recent good form when they welcome the Co Louth side to the Brandywell tonight.

Drogheda United defender Shane Grimes is said to be “distraught” after testing positive for a banned substance.

Cork City will look to claim back-to-back victories for the first time this term against a Dundalk side that have mixed impressive results with some disappointing displays.

Derry City welcome Cork City to the Brandywell with both sets of supporters recalling thrilling encounters between the two provincial giants in recent years.

Derry City may have cruised into the Setanta Sports Cup quarter-finals, but it was the presence of James McClean, who clearly lit up the Brandywell last night.

Derry City take on struggling Galway United at the Brandywell looking to bounce back from Thursday’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers, kick-off 5.00pm.

SHAMROCK ROVERS can take a giant step towards retaining their Airtricity League Premier Division title when they take on third placed-Derry City in tonight’s clash at Tallaght (7pm, RTÉ Two).

Derry City will stay top of the table with a victory over Drogheda United at the Brandywell tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

Derry City will look to keep the pressure on Shamrock Rovers at the top of the table as they take on UCD at the Brandywell, kick-off 7.45pm.

EUROPA LEAGUE football is coming home for Shamrock Rovers after UEFA yesterday gave the thumbs up for the club’s group stage games to be played at Tallaght Stadium, beginning with the match against Rubin Kazan next Thursday.