Holders Cork City have been rewarded with a home draw against First Division side Athlone Town in the second round of the 2017 FAI Cup.

Manager Pete Mahon reckons that Bohemians’ shock defeat of Cork City will have done his embattled Drogheda United team no favours as top plays bottom at United Park this evening.

Fourth-placed Shamrock Rovers moved four points ahead of Derry and built up to Thursday’s Europa League test against Icelandic Stjarnan in style by hammering Drogheda last night.

SSE Airtricity League: Limerick manager Neil McDonald insists “the pressure is all on Cork” as he prepares for his first Munster derby at Turner’s Cross tonight (8pm, live on eirSport2).

While first hosts third in the big game at Turner’s Cross this evening, Dundalk will be hoping to do their bit to narrow Cork City’s lead at the top when the champions travel to Ballybofey to take on Finn Harps (8.00).

Drogheda United 1 Cork City 4: Cork City leapfrogged Dundalk to move top of the Premier Division table after a convincing win over 10-man Drogheda at United Park.

League of Ireland: Cork City striker Sean Maguire has emerged as a major doubt for the trip to Drogheda on Friday night.

Promotion/Relegation play-off second leg: Drogheda United 3 Wexford Youths 0 (Drogheda win 3-2 on agg). Drogheda United secured a swift return to the Premier Division as Pete Mahon’s side ran out 3-0 winners against Wexford Youths at United Park last night, ensuring a 3-2 aggregate win. 

The SSE Airtricity League First Division takes top billing tonight, with Wexford Youths on the brink of claiming the title for the first time and, with it, promotion to the Premier Division.

With their ten-point lead at the top, Dundalk might already have one hand on the league trophy but as they head to Dalymount Park to take on Bohemians this evening, the defending champions know that they will be coming up against the only side to have inflicted a defeat on them in the league this season.

Hot on the heels of Damien Duff joining Shamrock Rovers, comes news of another former Irish international winger arriving in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, with confirmation Keith Treacy has signed for Drogheda United.

After last Sunday’s 1-1 draw at Oriel Park saw Dundalk retain their six-point advantage over Cork City, the top two in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division resume their title contest this evening, with the Lilywhites away to Bray Wanderers and the Rebels at home to Bohemians.

Stephen Kenny has admitted that the Dundalk dressing room was “devastated” after the scoreless draw with BATE Borisov which saw his side exit Europe on Wednesday night.

Drogheda United 1 Dundalk 2: John Mountney’s deflected 90th-minute free-kick proved decisive as Dundalk snatched victory in an entertaining Louth derby at United Park last night.

Drogheda United 1 Cork City 2

Drogheda United 0 Bohemians 1: Marc Griffin struck for 10-man Bohemians in the 88th minute as they took full points against Drogheda in a controversial match at United Park.

Resilience was one of the key components in Cork City’s title challenge last season and, to judge by their last-gasp equaliser at the Showgrounds last Saturday, it’s a quality they have retained for the new campaign.

The fixture might be a preview of next weekend’s EA Sports Cup final but the more immediate reward will be a place in the FAI Ford Cup semi-finals for the winner of tonight’s meeting between Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk at Tallaght Stadium (kick-off 7.05pm, live on RTÉ 2).

While certain nuances of the game may have changed, it’s still all about the players and the people around them, according to Damien Richardson who is revelling being back in football again.

With Dundalk six points clear at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, it’s hard to believe that, back in March, Stephen Kenny’s team lost their opening game in the campaign 4-1 to neighbours Drogheda United.

SSE AIRTRICITY LEAGUE PREMIER DIVISION:

St Patrick’s Athletic midfielder Chris Forrester landed a near 50-yard volley in his side’s 4-0 rout away at Drogheda United tonight.

Drogheda United 1 Sligo Rovers 1

St Patrick’s Athletic will give top scorer Christy Fagan and midfielder John Russell late fitness tests just before their FAI Ford Cup Quarter-Final replay against Drogheda United at Hunky Dorys Park.

The FAI last night insisted the ongoing pay and contract wrangle at Bohemians was close to being resolved and denied categorically the club had received any financial help from Abbotstown.

Drogheda United 0 UCD 3

Drogheda United open their Airtricity League Premier Division campaign against newly promoted UCD at United Park, kick-off 7.45pm.

IT’S an almost traditional-sounding curtain-raiser to the new season, as champions Bohemians host FAI Cup-winners Sporting Fingal in the Premier Division of the Airtricity League tonight, a match which will screened live on RTÉ2 (7.35pm).

AS negotiations continue to secure a rescue package for the embattled club, the player exodus from Cork City continues with Danny Murphy poised to join Shamrock Rovers.

Drogheda United 2 Bray Wanderers 0

Drogheda United and Bray Wanderers go head to head at United Park tonight with the loser facing the daunting prospect of the two-legged play-off for Premier Division survival, kick-off 7.45pm.

Drogheda United can avoid the automatic relegation spot with victory over St Patrick's Athletic at United Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Drogheda United can stay clear of the automatic relegation place if they beat Galway United at United Park tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

Drogheda United and Dundalk contest the final Louth derby of the season at United Park tonight (kick-off 7.45pm).

Drogheda United will be looking for a home victory against Derry City at United Park tonight as Alan Mathews' side continue their fight for survival, kick-off 7.45pm.

THE double-double might no longer be possible but Bohemians are still chasing a notable double of League Cup and Championship.

Drogheda United and Sligo Rovers will both be desperate for victory in this relegation battle at United Park, 7.45pm.

Drogheda United 0 Cork City 1

Drogheda United will be looking to maintain their push to avoid relegation when they welcome Cork City to United Park tonight, kick-off 7.45pm.

Drogheda United 0 Shamrock Rovers 1