The glamour tie of the FAI Ford Cup third round pits Shamrock Rovers against Cork City in front of the RTÉ television cameras in Tallaght this evening, with an early kick off of 7.05pm.

Cork City and Drogheda United go into tonight’s game at Turner’s Cross on the back of defeats, but each has a very different reason for wanting to bounce back as quickly as possible.

In a game which looks pivotal to their hopes of retaining their title, Shamrock Rovers host leaders Sligo Rovers in the Airtricity League Premier Division this evening in front of the Setanta cameras at Tallaght Stadium (8pm).

With the top of the table clash between Sligo Rovers and Drogheda United not taking place until tomorrow and St Patrick’s Athletic engaged this week in Europa League action, Shamrock Rovers will be looking to take advantage by narrowing the seven-point gap which separates them from the leaders when they face UCD at the Belfield Bowl this evening.

This was not the return to the Premier Division which Cork City were hoping for on a night in which a defensive lapse and a couple of squandered chances for the visitors meant that a well-organised UCD deservedly emerged with the spoils in what was, overall, a disappointing game at the Belfield Bowl.

HAVING shared the points with Limerick in a 3-3 thriller last time out at Turner’s Cross, Cork City hit the road for Athlone today knowing it’s wins not draws they need to keep their Airtricity League First Division promotion challenge firmly on course.

AIRTRICITY Premier Division title contenders Shamrock Rovers and Bohemians will both be jockeying for position this evening ahead of next Tuesday’s big meeting between the big two at Dalymount Park.

It’s an all First Division clash as Cork City Foras Co-op entertain Monaghan United at Turner’s Cross tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

LAST week’s narrow defeat to Waterford may mean that promotion will prove a bridge too far for Cork City FORAS this year, but the FAI Ford Cup remains a potential path to glory for the club in its first year after coming back from the dead.

THE World Cup is barely over but, already, the Champions League is kicking off.

WITH leaders St Pat’s not in action until tomorrow, when they travel to the Showgrounds to play Sligo Rovers, Sporting Fingal have a chance to go top of the Airtricity Premier Division tonight when they resume their campaign by hosting UCD at Morton Stadium (all games 7.45pm unless stated).

A WELL-TAKEN Davin O’Neill goal was enough to give Cork City victory in this FAI Ford Cup third-round replay but the First Division team were pushed all the way in Bray by a Bluebell United side who did the Leinster Senior League proud with a classy performance which deserved more than the pain of cup defeat.

THE TIE of the FAI Ford Cup third round is at Oriel Park tonight when league leaders Dundalk host St Patrick’s Athletic in an all-Premier Division clash.

Cork City 1 Derry City 1

TOMMY DUNNE admitted last night he was concerned about Cork City FORAS Co-Op’s lack of firepower after they stumbled to a slender victory over struggling Salthill Devon.

Shelbourne 1 Cork City Foras Co-Op 1

IN a Premier Division season dominated by Dublin derbies, the most high-octane of them all takes place at Tallaght this evening when Shamrock Rovers host Bohemians (7.45pm, RTÉ 2).

WITH Bohemians distracted by Setanta Cup duties this weekend, joint-leaders St Patrick’s Athletic have a chance to go clear at the top of the Airtricity League this evening.

Waterford United 3 Finn Harps 3 (Finn Harps win 6-3 on aggregate)

It emerged today that Cork City boss Damien Richardson could miss the FAI Cup final with a touchline ban if the Leesiders get to the RDS on Cup final day on December 2.

UCD come up against Waterford United in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at Belfield Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

Waterford United will field a makeshift side for tonight’s televised FAI Ford Cup clash with Cork City at the RSC (kick-off 7.30pm).

St Patrick's Athletic entertain Waterford United in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at Richmond Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

WITH Drogheda United engaged in matters European this week, Shamrock Rovers will be looking to cut the gap at the top of the eircom Premier Division to just four points when they host Longford Town at Tolka Park tonight (8pm).

Waterford United and Cork City go head-to-head in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division Munster derby at the RSC, kick-off 7.45pm.

Galway United 1 Waterford United 2

Waterford United go head-to-head with Sligo Rovers in tonight’s eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at the RSC, kick-off 7.45pm.

Waterford United take on league leaders St Patrick's Athletic in tonight's eircom League of Ireland Premier Division clash at the RSC tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

The Republic of Ireland squad to take part in the Four Nations Tournament in Scotland next week was today formally announced by manager Mick Neville.

Cork City 2 Dungannon Swifts 1

CORK CITY rediscovered their scoring touch and reignited their Setanta Cup challenge with a four-goal salvo against Portadown at Turner’s Cross last evening.

Cork City have signed Brian O’Callaghan from Notts County and Cathal Lordan from Ipswich Town for the remainder of the 2006 season.

Ireland Under-17 manager Sean McCaffrey has included for home-based players in his squad of 20 players for a four team tournament in Las Palmas, Gran Canaria, from February 2 – 7 next.

Republic of Ireland Under-16 manager Vincent Butler has named a squad of 18 players for an assessment match against Longford Town at Flancare Park, Longford, on Wednesday, November 13, 2002, (kick-off 7.30pm).