LOI preview: Derry and Shelbourne seeking a kickstart
After a flurry of Dublin derbies, attention turns to the north-west tonight with Derry City and Shelbourne looking to kickstart their SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division campaigns.
Both the sides failed to beat Shamrock Rovers in the last week, with Shels regretting letting a two-goal lead slip on Monday.
Derry, by contrast, did little to trouble the Hoops over 90 minutes the previous Friday in a 1-0 loss.
It has been an unconvincing start by the Candystripes but it remains very early to be writing them off.
Keith Treacy told this week's RTÉ Soccer Podcast that he does not see Derry entering the title race. Nights like tonight can go a long way to proving that wrong, if it comes right.
Tiernan Lynch will know he must find some cohesiveness within his side as he looks to integrate a number of new players.
The Reds have also had some troubles. Like Derry, injuries have become an issue and Joey O’Brien’s side have been uncharacteristically poor in defence. Paddy Barrett remains a big loss as he sits out.
The Hoops are also head north to take on Sligo Rovers in The Showgrounds, a venue the Dublin side have not always been at their best.
The Bit O’ Red produced their best performance of the season by a considerable distance to beat Drogheda United last week and will take confidence after a nightmare start to the year beforehand.
Alex Nolan scored his first Sligo Rovers goal last week
Sligo boss John Russell feels they are coming up against the best side in the country: "Last week's win over Drogheda was really an overall performance that was reflective of us and what we're about as a team.
"We now have a Shams team coming to Sligo who are justifiably title favourites and are brimming with talent. It's been the case now for a few years, but their biggest strength is their depth.
"Against Shels they brought in Graham Burke, Michael Noonan and Jack Byrne from their bench. Then Victor Ozhianvuna and Adam Brennan come on, two of the best young talents in the country. No other club has that depth, so that illustrates what we're up against.
"But our form against them has been decent recently and we'll back ourselves again. I think as the weeks go and we continue to work together and the pitches improve, we'll get even better. So there's plenty for us to look forward to over the next few days."
The poor Showgrounds surface will be a negative for the game. Stephen Bradley’s side have lost three of their last four in Sligo, so a win here will only add to the thought they the champions are in prime position to lift the trophy again come the winter.
Bohemians are the story of the year so far and will hope to extend their lead at the top of the table when Galway United visit Dalymount Park.
The Gypsies had to weather a second half storm in the RSC last week to make it four wins on the spin.
United have shown great battling qualities this season, with John Caulfield quickly getting decent performances from his side.
They were unfortunate to ship late goals to Drogheda and St Pat’s and sit in a bottom half of the table already containing the four sides predicted to struggle.
Frantz Pierrot is ready for a first start for Galway United
Frantz Pierrot could make a first start for the Tribesmen after coming off the bench last week, while Patrick Hickey will come up against his former side.
The American has been an inspired signing, operating at the heart of the Bohs defence.
Reynolds wants his players to maintain their momentum: "We are delighted with our form going into this game and the results we have had give us great confidence. But everything we have got so far has been hard-fought, and that level of commitment and concentration needs to be there once more for what is going to be a really tough game.
"We know how good Galway can be, they have already come up to Dublin and taken a point off Shelbourne this season. We are facing a team and manager who have caused us plenty of problems in the past, so nobody should be under any illusions about how well organised and hard to beat a team managed by John Caulfield will be.
"But our focus will always be on our own game. We will be looking to start with the same intensity we have in recent games and push on again."
United manager John Caulfield has admitted that tonight's game will be a tough challenge for his side.
"We're looking forward to the game. Bohs are flying. Their form so far has been so impressive, they're scoring goals and keeping clean sheets and most importantly, they are top of the table. They look like a team that could win the league.
"Our form the last few years in Dalymount has been good. We have got another week into Frantz Pierrot, but we know it will be a tough game, every game we have played this year has gone to the wire."
Stephen Kenny’s St Patrick’s Athletic are riding high after the dramatic win in Tolka Park.
Their fixture with Drogheda United will see James Brown come up against the side he made his name with before heading cross-channel.
The Boynesiders were uncharacteristically flat against Sligo last week. Without away supporters and with Kevin Doherty serving a touchline ban, there were excuses for such a display.
It’ll be home fans only once again as United continue to suffer from that infamous night in Oriel Park.
The only two sides without a victory in the division face off in that venue tonight.
Dundalk welcome Waterford FC to County Louth for a match that, like plenty of others tonight, is hard to call.
The Lilywhites have played four away matches included against three of the top four, so their low points tally should be kept in perspective.
Jon Daly returns to his former club looking for some happier times. His last match at the venue was when they were relegated to the First Division.
Daly is new in the role at the RSC and knows he must find the winning touch soon or risk the chance of another battle at the bottom.
