Derry’s Zayed has Saints’ back-up keeper in sights
Currently Sligo Rovers are top of the pile on goal difference but will not be in action until tomorrow night when they meet Bohemians at the Showgrounds. Derry and Shamrock Rovers are level with Sligo on 48 points, although Michael O’Neill’s Hoops have a game in hand.
Derry will be without James McClean for their clash with St Pat’s — the player having moved on to Sunderland this week in a €400,000 deal — while fellow winger Gareth McGlynn is ruled out for another six weeks with an ankle injury.
Manager Stephen Kenny will stick as closely as possible to the side that beat Galway United 3-0 at Terryland Park in their last outing, with in-form Eamon Zayed again leading the attack.
St Pat’s will be minus goalkeeper Gary Rogers and midfielder Shane McFaul, both sent off in last week’s 2-2 draw with UCD at Richmond Park. Chris Bennion looks set to take over in goal from Rogers in a Pat’s side still weary after their European adventures.
Striker Danny North could be back for the Inchicore men but midfielder Stephen Bradley is doubtful.
Shamrock Rovers will be minus suspended midfielder Chris Turner while both Ken Oman and Stephen O’Donnell are ruled out by injuries. Ronan Finn is a doubt with a groin problem but striker Karl Sheppard is back in the reckoning.
“We must forget about Europe for the minute and continue picking up points in the league. It is never easy against UCD, but we have that game in hand and that is why we must win,” said Hoops boss O’Neill.
College will be without the suspended Darren Meenan but will have taken heart from that battling 2-2 draw away to Pat’s in their last outing.
Bray Wanderers welcome back David Webster, Stephen Prendergast, Shane O’Neill and Chris Shields after suspension for the visit of Galway.
Bray’s panel will welcome back keeper Darren Quigley and midfielder Gary Shaw after long-term injuries.
Tribes boss Sean Connor is again without the injured Johnny Keane and Sean Kelly while winger Bobby Ryan is doubtful.
There will be no give and take in the Louth derby game when Drogheda United play host to Dundalk. Mick Cooke’s Drogheda have just enjoyed successive wins over Galway and Bray.
Brian Gannon returns after suspension for Drogheda. Dundalk will be without Eoghan Osborne, Stephen McDonnell and Colin Hawkins.
In the First Division, Cork City have suffered a blow with the news Ireland U23 international Stephen Mulcahy is out for the rest of the season with a cruciate ligament injury.
Second-placed City face Wexford Youths tonight hot on the heels of their 4-1 victory over leaders Shelbourne last Friday night and their extra-time EA Sports Cup semi-final victory over Limerick last Monday.
Leaders Shelbourne travel to Longford tomorrow looking to recover from their thumping at Turner’s Cross.
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