Title may swing way of Hoops tonight

THE penultimate night in the Airtricity League could see Shamrock Rovers crowned champions for the second year in succession — without even having to kick a ball.

For that to happen, the reigning champions will be looking for favours from old Dublin rivals, Bohemians and St Patrick’s Athletic, who take on Sligo Rovers and Derry City respectively.

A win for Bohs at Dalymount Park would mean Sligo — currently lying second, four points behind the Hoops — won’t be able to catch the leaders, while a win for St Pat’s at Richmond Park, or even a draw, would finally put paid to Derry’s hopes of overhauling Michael O’Neill’s men.

But even if Sligo and Derry are still in the title hunt after tonight, Rovers can seal the deal with a victory at UCD on Monday night.

But back to tonight when, as well as title hopes, points for European places will be up for grabs. For Derry City there is also a question mark about their eligibility for one of those slots even if they do finish in the top three, given the club is technically a new entity which is in existence for a period short of the three-year rule applied by UEFA for admission to European competition.

However, Airtricity League Director Fran Gavin yesterday expressed cautious optimism.

“The three-year rule applies to them but it has applied to several other clubs around Europe over the last few years and a high percentage have got licences,” he said.

Of course, first Stephen Kenny’s side must do the business on the pitch tonight, against a St Pat’s side who haven’t given up their own outside chance of overtaking Derry. Over at Dalymount, meanwhile, Bohs will have pride and a modicum of revenge to motivate them, having lost an FAI Cup semi-final to Sligo last Sunday.

There are two crunch games in the second tier tonight, with leaders Monaghan United taking on fourth-placed Limerick at Gortakeegan (8pm) and second-placed Cork City hosting Longford Town at Turner’s Cross. Third-placed Shelbourne, with a game in hand, are away to Salthill Devon.

A win for Monaghan would keep Roddy Collins’ team on course for promotion and the title. Indeed, so extraordinarily tight is the situation at the top, that a victory for Monaghan against Limerick tonight would actually be enough in itself to guarantee Cork a third-place finish and a play-off against Galway.

Needless to say, however, the ideal for Cork would be a draw in Gortakeegan and a win at Turner’s Cross in their bid to secure automatic promotion. “We are hoping for a big crowd and a good atmosphere, but Longford will be tough opponents,” said City boss Tommy Dunne. “If we want to get the win, we will have to be diligent and do our work properly.”

For Cork, Danny Murphy will miss the game through suspension, while Gavin Kavanagh (back) and Greg O’Halloran (Achilles) are both rated as very doubtful. Better news for Dunne is that Davin O’Neill and Derek O’Brien return after injury.

Kick off at Turner’s Cross is at 7.45pm as is kick off time in the night’s other First Division game between Waterford United and Mervue at the RSC.