Cork look to delay Dundalk coronation

The title is on the line at Turner’s Cross this evening but not in the way Cork City would have hoped it would be just three games ago.

But two defeats in those three matches mean City go into tonight’s meeting with St Patrick’s Athletic (7.45pm) knowing that, should they lose, leaders Dundalk will be crowned SSE Airtricity League champions for the third season in a row.

The gap between the top two is currently seven points with three games remaining, meaning that mathematically at least Cork are still not out of it. But even if they keep those faintest of hopes alive tonight against the side which beat them 3-1 on Monday, Dundalk will still be in a position to take the first of three opportunities to definitively settle the matter when they host Bohemians on Sunday.

With next month’s cup final against the Lilywhites on the horizon, City boss John Caulflield is planning to make at least three changes this evening to cope with knocks and fatigue while giving opportunities to fringe players to stake a claim ahead of the Aviva showdown.

But, at the same time, he insists he has no intention of putting the result against Pat’s at risk.

“We want to get back to winning ways and finish the season on a high before the cup final,” he says. “I am expecting a much improved performance tonight. I expect a response from the players coming into the team. While we will be making changes, it is our last home Friday night game of the season, and our attendances have been very good in general so we are hoping for a good crowd and a good performance to send them home happy.”

At the other end of the table, a win for Finn Harps over Wexford Youths at Ferrycarrig Park (8pm) will secure the Donegal side’s Premier Division status for next season and, with Longford already relegated, see Wexford go into a promotion/relegation play-off against either Cobh Ramblers or Drogheda United.

However, Youths’ 5-4 win over Galway United last time out means that, six points behind Harps but with a game in hand, the great escape is not yet beyond them.

“It’s going to be very difficult but we must get a result at Ferrycarrig Park,” Harps boss Ollie Horgan said.

Tonight’s other Premier Division games see Derry City host Sligo Rovers (7.45pm), Galway United entertain Longford Town (7.45pm) and Shamrock Rovers at home to Bray Wanderers (8pm).

Meanwhile, Shelbourne have expressed their “disgust and disappointment” at flares being thrown onto the pitch and banners set alight in Tolka Park at last Saturday’s First Division game against Waterford United, as a section of fans protested against the club’s planned groundshare with city rivals Bohemians at Dalymount Park.

Shels say they are reviewing CCTV footage with a view to ensuring “that this kind of incident will not be allowed to happen again”, while maintenance staff have begun work to repair damage to the stand and pitch.