John Caulfield braced for huge Shamrock Rovers’ challenge

There are just three games in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division tonight but no shortage of quality and tantalising sub-plots, as Shamrock Rovers meet Cork City in Tallaght, cup holders St Pats travel to Oriel Park to take on champions Dundalk, and joint bottom clashes with joint top as Galway United host Drogheda United.

There will be a wealth of international experience on display in Tallaght Stadium as Cork’s Colin Healy and Liam Miller come up against Rovers’ Keith Fahey and Stephen McPhail in a game which kicks off at 8pm. City followed up their opening day draw in Sligo with a 5-0 drubbing of Limerick at Turner’s Cross, but it’s Pat Fenlon’s Hoops who go into tonight’s game a point better off after two wins on the bounce.

“It will be a huge challenge and Rovers will be favourites,” says Cork boss John Caulfield. “But, at the same time, we played them three times in the league last season – once when Pat was in charge – and we won all three.

“For us, it will be a good test, but I feel since pre-season the fitness levels are good and training has been very good and I think we are beginning to gel a bit better. We may well make changes from the Limerick game. We are working on a few things at the moment. The good thing for me is that pretty much everyone is fit, everyone wants to play, they are all on the edge trying to get their game, and that is a good place to be.”

Rob Lehane (groin) and Michael McSweeney (hamstring) are unavailable for the visitors, while Josh O’Shea is also ruled out with a knock. But Dan Murray has recovered from a groin strain and will be fit for selection.

For Rovers, Danny North (knee), Luke Byrne (hamstring) and Patrick Cregg (hamstring) are doubts but will be given every chance to prove their fitness, while Gavin Brennan returns from suspension.

At Oriel Park, Dundalk host St Pats, with Stephen Kenny’s men looking to maintain their 100% start to the season. Stephen O’Donnell remains out for a number of weeks as he continues his recovery from knee surgery but Kenny is pleased with how his side have set about the defence of their title.

“We have had a great start,” he says. “Two wins and two clean sheets so far is exactly what we would have wanted. Now, we want to push on and keep that going.”

Pats will be without defenders Ger O’Brien and Jason McGuinness (both with hamstring injuries) but manager Liam Buckley could give new signing Morgan Langley a debut after the midfielder completed his first week of full training.

In tonight’s other top-flight fixture Galway United seek their first points of the season against a Drogheda United team who are flying high with two wins from two.

In the First Division, Cabinteely host Shelbourne at Stradbrook, UCD welcome Athlone Town to the UCD Bowl and Waterford United are at home to Finn Harps in the RSC.

All this evening’s games kick off at 7.45pm unless otherwise indicated.