Irish Premier League: 14th-16th July

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sorry folks,
was out till late...

Preview: Kilkenny City v Galway United

Kilkenny City will be hoping to put a bad run behind them tonight as they host Galway United at Buckley Park. Both sides have slipped down the table recently but Galway did manage to pick up their first win under Tony Cousins during the week.

Kilkenny City vs Galway United
(Buckley Park - 7:30 pm - Division 1)
Referee : Conor Fitzgerald

Kilkenny are second from bottom after losing four of their last five league games, they drew the other one. They also drew with Galway when the two sides met earlier in the year.

Galway haven't been winning much recently, but they hasn't lost a whole lot either. They've lost just once in their last eleven league games and picked up a big win over first division title rivals Cobh Ramblers during the week.

Conor's Buckley and McMahon are injury doubts for the home side while Rory Hussey is suspended after his red card in Kildare during the week. Billy Clery, Mixie Harty and David Cooke are rated as doubtful for Galway but Fran Carter should return after playing in the midweek 2-0 loss to Ipswich Town.

League form for Kilkenny City : LLLDL
League form for Galway United : WDLDD

Previous meeting(s) : Galway United 1-1 Kilkenny City (05/05/2006)
Galway United 2-0 Kilkenny City (07/10/2005)
Kilkenny City 0-2 Galway United (01/08/2005)
Galway United 0-1 Kilkenny City (27/05/2005)
Kilkenny City 0-0 Galway United (02/04/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

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Preview: Cobh Ramblers v Shamrock Rovers

Anthony Flood could start for Rovers. Photo by Tom Carey.

Third plays second in the first division of the eircom League tonight as Cobh Ramblers entertain Shamrock Rovers at Saint Colman's Park. There's just three points between the two teams but Rovers will be looking to retake top spot and can do so if they avoid defeat.

Cobh Ramblers vs Shamrock Rovers
(St. Colman's Park - 7:45 pm - Division 1)
Referee : Neil Doyle

Cobh will be hoping to at least halting a losing streak which has seen them lose their last two games in the league.

Kieran O'Reilly is again set to miss out for Cobh through injury but Davin O'Neill should return.

Rovers' form still isn't totally consistent but they have been picking up points in recent weeks. However, they haven't picked up back to back league wins since early April.

Andy Myler, Ger O'Brien and Seamus Long are all out injured for Rovers with Tadhg Purcell rated as doubtful. Anthony Flood could well hold onto a place in the line-up anyway after starring in the win over Finn Harps in midweek.

League form for Cobh Ramblers : LLWWW
League form for Shamrock Rovers : WLWDW

Previous meeting(s) : Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Cobh Ramblers (07/05/2006)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

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Preview: Finn Harps v Dundalk

James Gallagher is set to return in goal for Harps. Photo by Tom Carey.

Finn Harps will be hoping to get back on track after losing to Shamrock Rovers in midweek. Tonight, they host fifth placed Dundalk who have hit some form recently and have won their last three league games.

Finn Harps vs Dundalk
(Finn Park - 7:45 pm - Division 1)
Referee : Tony Kelly

A win for Harps tonight would lift them ahead of Dundalk in the table. The history books are in Harps' favour too with the County Donegal club winning their last five games against Dundalk.

Goalkeeper James Gallagher is set to return for Harps after missing the Rovers game through suspension.

Niall Hudson is a major injury doubt for Dundalk but otherwise manager John Gill should have a near full strength squad to call from.

League form for Finn Harps : LWWDD
League form for Dundalk : WWWDL

Previous meeting(s) : Dundalk 1-3 Finn Harps (04/05/2006)
Finn Harps 3-0 Dundalk (20/11/2004)
Dundalk 0-2 Finn Harps (26/08/2004)
Finn Harps 2-0 Dundalk (28/05/2004)
Dundalk 1-2 Finn Harps (25/09/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

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Preview: UCD v Drogheda United

Drogheda United return to domestic action after their draw in Helsinki left them with every chance of advancing in the UEFA Cup. They travel to UCD on Sunday evening and will be hoping to return to the top of the eircom League Premier division.

UCD vs Drogheda United
(Belfield Park - 7:00 pm - Premier)
Referee : Pat Whelan

UCD could climb to seventh with a win but the Drogs have still only lost twice in the league this season and still boast the joint meanest defence in the league, conceding just six.

UCD are again set to be without a number players through injury. Paul Byrne, Conan Byrne, Tony McDonnell and Alan Mahon could all miss out.

Drogheda may be nursing a couple of injuries after their midweek outing. Stephen Gray, Declan O'Brien and James Keddy remain out. Tony Grant made an impressive debut in Helsinki and appears to be in manager Paul Doolin's first team plans.

League form for UCD : DDLWD
League form for Drogheda United : WWDLW

Previous meeting(s) : Drogheda United 1-0 UCD (14/04/2006)
UCD 2-2 Drogheda United (09/09/2005)
Drogheda United 1-2 UCD (17/06/2005)
UCD 0-2 Drogheda United (25/03/2005)
Drogheda United 1-1 UCD (13/09/2004)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.