It may rain goals at Tolka tonight!

THERE’S a prospect of goals aplenty this evening as three of the island’s most prolific scorers are set to do battle when Shelbourne play host to Portadown in the Setanta Cup at Tolka Park (7.15pm).

After missing the opening game of the eircom League - a 1-1 draw with UCD - through suspension, tonight should see Jason Byrne return to link up with ex-Bohemians hitman and fellow international, Glen Crowe in the Shelbourne attack, meaning the Dublin side would be fielding the two strikers who between them have topped the goalscoring charts for the last five years.

But Portadown, currently in third place in the Irish League, can claim their own hotshot in the familiar form of Vinny Arkins.

The 34-year-old striker from Dublin, who has seen service in the past with Shelbourne, Shamrock Rovers, St Johnstone and Notts County and has been top scorer in the Irish League for five out of the past seven years,.

Portadown manager Ronnie McFall hopes to keep him at Shamrock Park when his contract runs out at the end of this season, despite reports linking the player with both Drogheda United and Shels.

Although Bobby Ryan has joined Glen Fitzpatrick and Joseph Ndo on the injury list, Shels boss Pat Fenlon still has plenty of options with Byrne, Jim Crawford and Dave Crawley available after suspension. Wes Hoolahan, who came off the bench against UCD, is also in contention for a starting place.

Former Republic of Ireland youth international Paul Murphy replaces the injured David Miskelly in goal for Portadown, who are also without Mickey Collins, ruled out with a hamstring problem.

The eircom League Premier Division fixture between Longford Town and Cork City, originally scheduled for Saturday April 2, will now take place on Thursday March 31 at Flancare Park with a kick-off time of 7.45pm.