Hoops set to recall big guns for Derry clash
After fielding what was effectively a reserve team in Tuesday’s Setanta Cup quarter-final second leg 4-2 victory over Irish League side Lisburn Distillery at Tallaght Stadium, Hoops manager Michael O’Neill will again make wholesale changes.
Central defender Craig Sives and striker Dean Kelly are doubtful with hamstring and calf injuries respectively. Since arriving at Rovers, O’Neill has seen his team record two wins and a draw on their three visits to the Brandywell.
“That’s not a bad record and we will be hoping to continue that sort of form. But it is another big test for us against another of the favoured teams in the division,” said O’Neill.
“The Brandywell is always a tough place to go and it will be no different this time. Derry have a nice mix of youth and experience.”
Derry boss Stephen Kenny will be hoping to improve on last week’s 2-2 draw away to Drogheda United after leading 2-0 at one stage and is boosted by the return of experienced defender Eddie McCallion after serving a one match ban. Missing through injury are Ruadhri Higgins and Stewart Greacen while James McClean is added to the squad.
St Patrick’s Athletic must bounce back from successive defeats by UCD and Shamrock Rovers when they play host to in-form Dundalk at Richmond Park.
Manager Pete Mahon will not name his side until the last minute as Conor Kenna, Ian Daly and Daryl Kavanagh are all out through injury. Defender Brian Shortall is doubtful too with an ankle problem.
“Dundalk have made a great start to the season. This is another tough game for us — we did enough to deserve a draw against Rovers last week and now need to start picking up the points,’’ said Mahon.
Dundalk boss Ian Foster will stick to the same squad that saw off the challenge of Glentoran in Monday’s 1-1 draw in the Setanta Cup quarter-final (2-1 on aggregate).
Michael Hector returns after a three-match ban but missing will be Eoghan Osborne (hamstring) and the suspended Dean Bennett.
UCD and Bray Wanderers, level on four points each after three games, will both be hoping to climb up the table when they clash at the Belfield Bowl. College boss Martin Russell keeps the same squad that picked up a point in last week’s scoreless draw away to Galway United although Cillian Morrisson is ruled out by injury.
“We are looking to build on a decent start to the season and although Bray have also started well, I am confident we have the ability to pick up the three points,” said Russell.
Bray will be without the injured Colm Tresson and Gary Shaw while Conor Murphy is on Irish U19 duty in Cyprus. “We got an excellent point in our scoreless draw at home to Sligo Rovers last week as they are a top team, very professional and well prepared,” said boss Pat Devlin.
Second placed Bohemians will start as favourites when they play host to Galway United at Dalymount Park even though they’ll be without the suspended Ger O’Brien.
“We haven’t played any of the teams perceived to be the top sides in the League. The way the fixtures have worked out gives us a chance to get points on the board before we meet them,” said boss Pat Fenlon.
Galway manager Sean Connor has urged his supporters to be patient after what he admitted has been a difficult start to the season. Tonight Sean Kelly is suspended while Steve Feeney could be out for four weeks with a ligament injury.
Sligo will again be without the influential Cameroon midfielder Joseph Ndo because of a foot injury when Drogheda United are the visitors to the Showgrounds. Daryl Horgan is on U19 international duty.
“You have to win your home games and make it a fortress really. But we have to start taking our chances and hopefully we can get our first home win,” said Sligo striker Rafaelle Cretaro.
Drogheda boss Mick Cooke must plan without the suspended Mark Nolan while central defender Alan McNally will have a late fitness test.
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