Ireland 3/5 May

[igor5]

Ireland Eircom Premier League

03 May 20:00 Cork City v St Patricks 2.10 3.20 3.10
04 May 19:45 Bohemians v UCD 1.72 3.25 4.33
04 May 19:45 Galway United v Derry City 3.10 3.20 2.10
04 May 19:45 Waterford United v Drogheda United 5.00 3.40 1.61
04 May 20:00 Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers 1.90 3.20 3.60
05 May 19:30 Longford Town v Bray Wanderers 2.25 3.00 3.00

Ireland Eircom First Division

04 May 19:45 Limerick 37 v Monaghan United 1.66 3.40 4.33
04 May 20:00 Finn Harps v Kilkenny City 1.80 3.20 4.00
04 May 20:00 Wexford Youths v Shelbourne 2.50 3.10 2.50
05 May 19:30 Kildare County v Dundalk 3.50 3.20 1.90
05 May 19:45 Cobh Ramblers v Athlone Town 1.80 3.20 4.00

Bet365

[konstruktor1]

Any thoughts about tonights game ? As for me I think that for Cork to play 3 very difficult games in 6 days can be too much and fresh St Pat`s team can win.

Cork played very well on monday still they lost to Linfield, tonight`s game is for them a Cup Final as they trail St Pat`s by 8 points. They will have to go at them. And such approach has to suite St Patrick who have best players to play counter attack in the league. N`do , Quigley, Kirby and co. can do a bussines for punters, I am happy to take 2/1 for visitors tonight.

Any opinions?

[Diomed]

Tonights preview


Preview: Cork City v St. Patrick's Athletic

Cork City will be looking to put the disappointment of Monday's Setanta Sports Cup semi-final defeat behind them on Thursday as they host fellow semi-final losers Saint Patrick's Athletic in the Premier Division of the eircom League of Ireland. The Saints are still top of the pile with Cork in third and Thursday's televised game could already have a huge bearing on the season's outcome.

Cork boss Damien Richardson described the game as their "most important of the season" following Monday night's defeat and with the Dublin club already holding a nine point lead on his side, you can understand his reasoning. The Saints go into the game having collected twenty-two points from a possible twenty-four with only Bohemians managing to take any points off them in league action.

Cork are unbeaten in seven league games following their shock opening night defeat to Waterford. However, they have drawn their last three in the league and four in total. While a 2-2 draw away to Drogheda was a passable result, draws with Bray and Shamrock Rovers proved a point that was emphasised on Monday night - Cork can at times struggle to find the net.

Despite dominating almost the entire game in Belfast on Monday, Cork couldn't make the breakthrough against Linfield and lost to a late goal.

Alongside Bohs, the Saints have the best defensive record in the division having conceded just three goals to date. If you factor in the Setanta Cup, Pats have conceded just seven goals (including one in extra-time) in fifteen games. City's record has seen them concede eleven in the same number of games.

On that note, Cork will welcome back top scorer Roy O'Donovan after he missed the game in Belfast through suspension. Potential striker partner John O'Flynn is a doubt after he was substituted early in the second half on Monday as a precaution over his thigh. He is rated as a "slight doubt". Sean Kelly and Colm Carroll remain out injured.

Speaking ahead of the game Cork boss Damien Richardson said, "It is a game we are eagerly looking forward to. After the disappointment of Monday night's defeat to Linfield, it will require a performance of great character. It will be a great challenge against the league leaders, a very in form team, but the game cannot come quick enough for us."

Saint Patrick's Athletic should have an almost full strength squad for the game with only Michael Foley set to miss out with an injury picked up in extra-time against Drogheda.

At the weekend St. Pats ran out 2-1 winners against Shamrock Rovers and although they had looked comfortable at times, they almost wobbled near the end after a late Rovers goal.

The Dublin side have already beaten Cork City twice in 2007 when they met in the Setanta Cup. The Saints won 1-0 at Richmond Park at the beginning of April while they won 3-1 when they visited Turner's Cross in March. That 3-1 win was the third consecutive time the Saints visited Turner's Cross and avoided defeat - having drawn there in the league last year and beaten Cork in late 2005 at the same venue.

Cork City have also announced plans for entertainment surrounding the game with the Cork Fire Brigade and Togher Pipe Band providing music before the game and at half-time.

League form for Cork City : DDDWW
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : WWDWW

Previous meeting(s) : St. Patricks Athletic 1-0 Cork City (02/04/2007)
Cork City 1-3 St. Patricks Athletic (12/03/2007)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-1 Cork City (06/11/2006)
Cork City 0-0 St. Patricks Athletic (04/09/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 2-0 Cork City (28/04/2006)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

[shai7]

Thinking about Drogheda United to grab the 3 points away from home, any info?

[Diomed]

Tonights previews Ireland Premier



Preview: Waterford United v Drogheda United

Bottom side Waterford United entertain second placed Drogheda United at the RSC on Friday night. The Drogs are poised for a title push but another shock win could lift the Blues off the foot of the table.

Drogheda go into the game having lost just one of fifteen games they have played this season. Following St. Pats loss on Thursday night, the Drogs are the only unbeaten side in the division and know that Friday's game is crucial for a couple of reasons. Drogheda can go one point clear at the top of the table with a win in Waterford. Due to the Setanta Sports Cup final, the Drogs then don't play a league game for seventeen days - when they face St. Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park.

Drogheda suffered a rare setback last weekend as they drew with Cork City 2-2 at United Park. However, their injury crisis has eased ahead of Friday's game.

Glen Fitzpatrick is back after a one game ban saw him miss last week's game with Cork. Striker and club captain Declan O'Brien is also available again after injury as are Brian Shelley and Damien Lynch. Richie Baker, Shane Barrett, Dan Connor, Jason Gavin, Andrew Hageman, James Keddy and Aidan O'Keefe all remain out injured.

Speaking ahead of the game, Waterford boss Gareth Cronin said, "I was very proud of the players and the way they clawed their way back into the game on Saturday. I must say I was worried and it looked bleak having conceded that early goal as well as losing Ray Scully. The second half performance was excellent to a man. The mood has been upbeat in training this week and I am hoping that we can build on that second half performance and get something from this game."

Waterford plan without the suspended Ray Scully after he was sent off against Sligo last week. Stephen Cooling is out injured while John Hayes is struggling with a hamstring problem.

League form for Waterford United : DLLLL
League form for Drogheda United : DWWWW

Previous meeting(s) : Drogheda United 1-0 Waterford United (17/11/2006)
Waterford United 2-3 Drogheda United (18/08/2006)
Drogheda United 4-0 Waterford United (19/05/2006)
Waterford United 1-0 Drogheda United (18/11/2005)
Drogheda United 1-0 Waterford United (19/08/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Preview: Galway United v Derry City

Galway United have climbed to tenth in the Premier Division of the eircom League of Ireland in recent weeks having picked up five points from their last three games. Derry City are the visitors to Terryland Park on Friday night. The Candystripes are just four points ahead of the Tribesmen going into the game and at least one Galway player may be out to prove a point.

Galway striker Stephen O'Flynn was deemed surplus to requirements at the Brandywell when Pat Fenlon took charge in December.

Derry go into the game having won just once in their last ten games and the pressure is undoubtedly mounting on Fenlon. They are already twelve points behind leaders St. Pats and have looked nothing like their formerly impressive selves. The scoreless draw with Bohemians last Friday at least stopped the rot but a home scoreless draw against anyone is scarcely an acceptable result from a side which finished second in two consecutive seasons of league action.

Having scored three of their five league goals to date, the news that former Derry City player Alan Murphy could miss out for the home side is a major worry. The midfielder picked up a calf injury during last week's win and was forced off at half-time. Having received treatment since and not trained all week, the injury has improved slightly. In similar situations, Ciaran Foley and John Russell are doubts with hamstring and thigh injuries having also not trained this week.

Chris Armstrong remains sidelined for four to five months with an achilles injury while Alan Keane's comeback from injury has hit a few stumbling blocks. Manager Tony Cousins can't get Keane back quick enough, "Alan has put in a huge amount of effort and he really deserves to be back playing again, but he has had a setback and the club is doing their best to make sure that the best of medical advice is available to him".

Derry have to again plan without the injured Gary Beckett, Kevin Deery and Alan Moore while defender Darren Kelly is a major doubt with a hip injury.

League form for Galway United : WDDLL
League form for Derry City : DLWLL

Previous meeting(s) : Derry City 2-1 Galway United (26/06/2005)
Galway United 0-1 Derry City (23/07/2004)
Galway United 2-1 Derry City (17/08/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Preview: Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers

Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers meet on the repaired pitch at Tolka Park on Friday night. Sixth placed Shamrock Rovers go into the game with a one point lead on eighth placed Sligo Rovers with both sides tasting defeats in recent weeks.

The Rovers from Dublin lost consecutive games to the top two, Drogheda and St. Pats. However, the Hoops lost each of those games by just one goal and gave the top sides late scares.

Sligo halted a three game losing streak with a 1-1 draw with Waterford last weekend - manager Paul Cook's first game in charge. Since that, Sligo have seen some backroom changes so they could still be considered to be in transition.

Tadhg Purcell, Ger O'Brien, Ger Rowe and Danny O'Connor are all injury doubts for Shamrock Rovers going into the game but will face late fitness tests. Paul Shiels and Eric McGill remain out injured but otherwise Shamrock Rovers should have a full squad to call from. Club captain Aidan Price returned after injury last weekend and although taken off before the end, suffered no ill effects.

Sligo still have a number of injury problems. Brian Cash remains sidelined for over a month while goalkeeper Richard Brush continues to feel the effects of a knee injury which has hampered him for much of the season. Conor O'Grady, Jason McCarthy and Gary Curran could all miss out with injuries.

Friday's game is the first league meeting between the clubs since the 1999/2000 season when Shamrock Rovers won all three meetings. The last league clash saw Shamrock Rovers win 4-2 in March 2000.

League form for Shamrock Rovers : LLDWL
League form for Sligo Rovers : DLLLW

IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Preview: Bohemians v UCD

Bohemians host UCD at Dalymount Park on Friday night. Bohs have been solid although less than thrilling so far. Ten points from their last four games have lifted UCD up to fifth, one place behind the Gypsies with just two points between the clubs.

Bohs have drawn four of their eight games to date but highlighting an improvement this season - have lost just once. However, their goal figures tell the real story. Bohs' eight league games so far have produced just eight goals in total - Bohs have scored five but conceded only three. Bohs have failed to score in half of their league games and scored more than once in just one league game so far.

UCD goalkeeper Matt Gregg looks set to remain between the posts at the expense of Irish B international Darren Quigley. Gregg was released by Bohs manager Sean Connor in the close season so may have a point to prove.

Darren Mansaram is suspended for Bohs following his red card in Derry last week. Bohs also have a number of injury problems. Dean Pooley and Harpal Singh both look set to miss out after going off injured in the 0-0 draw in Derry last Friday. Dessie Byrne and Fergal Harkin are also rated as doubtful while manager Sean Connor has added a couple of under-21 players to his matchday squad ahead of the game.

Although Bohs beat the College in two out of three meetings last season, UCD won when the sides last met - in November at Dalymount Park.

League form for Bohemians : DDDWW
League form for UCD : DWWWL

Previous meeting(s) : Bohemians 0-1 UCD (27/10/2006)
UCD 0-1 Bohemians (29/07/2006)
Bohemians 2-1 UCD (28/04/2006)
UCD 1-3 Bohemians (28/10/2005)
Bohemians 1-1 UCD (29/07/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

[Diomed]

Tonights previews Ireland 1st Div




Preview: Finn Harps v Kilkenny City

Finn Harps host Kilkenny City in the First Divison of the eircom League of Ireland on Friday night. The two clubs are still in the bottom half of the table but a win for either on Friday could lift them right back into the mix.

Harps have still only won one of their eight league games to date but did halt a losing streak with a draw in Athlone last weekend.

Visitors Kilkenny go into the game two points ahead of ninth placed Harps and have picked up four points from their last two games.

Gordon Simms must sit out a one game ban for the home side following his sending off in last week's draw with Athlone. Jonathan Minnock is struggling with an achilles injury.

Andrzej Polewcak remains suspended for Kilkenny, serving game three of an eight game ban.

Last season, Kilkenny won the first two meetings between the clubs but Harps won the most recent two.

League form for Finn Harps : DLLDD
League form for Kilkenny City : DWLLD

Previous meeting(s) : Kilkenny City 0-2 Finn Harps (07/10/2006)
Finn Harps 2-1 Kilkenny City (06/08/2006)
Kilkenny City 1-0 Finn Harps (03/06/2006)
Finn Harps 1-2 Kilkenny City (25/03/2006)
Kilkenny City 0-1 Finn Harps (11/06/2005)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Preview: Limerick 37 v Monaghan United

Limerick 37 host Monaghan United at Jackman Park on Friday evening in the First Division of the eircom League. Limerick have slipped off the pace a little following their defeat at the hands of Dundalk and a draw with Shelbourne.

Limerick 37 vs Monaghan United
(Jackman Park - 7:45 pm - Division 1)
Referee : Padraig Sutton

Limerick are now seven points behind leaders Dundalk and their occupying third place with just three wins shows how tight the middle portion of the First Division really is.

Monaghan United are bottom of the league and still haven't won a game in 2007. They have lost their last two in the league but trail second from last Finn Harps by just one point.

Limerick goalkeeper Jimmy Fyffe faces a one game ban.

Monaghan have a number of injury worries going into the game and are likely to be without Aaron Mooney, Mickey Kerr, Steven Feeney and Stephen Finnegan to seriously hamper manager Mick Cooke's options.

League form for Limerick 37 : DLWDD
League form for Monaghan United : LLDDD

IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Preview: Wexford Youths v Shelbourne

Wexford Youths have found the going tough in the last couple of weeks having lost back to back games against Kilkenny and Dundalk. Shelbourne visit Wexford on Friday night with just two points between the clubs.

Both clubs have had problems in the league recently. Wexford have now lost two on the spin while Shels have picked up two draws and a loss in their last three games.

Wexford's Garrett Larkin is suspended.

Shels James Chambers faces a one game ban after becoming the first player to reach four disciplinary points in 2007.

League form for Wexford Youths : LLWDD
League form for Shelbourne : DLDWD
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

[Chief77]

Limerick 37 V Monaghan Town: HT-FT @7/4: Monaghan are fast becoming the draw kings of this years 1st Division. 8 games played, no wins 5 draws and 3 losses. I'm pretty sure they won't be getting their first win against Limerick tonight.

Another draw is a possibility but due to their current injury woes I'm going for a comfortable home win. Limerick played well against league leaders Dundalk a couple of weeks back and were a bit unfortunate to lose 1-0. Monaghan find it notoriously difficult to win on the road and its 12 games now since they last tasted success.

The old Limerick FC have always been a bogey side and the last 7 meetings between the sides have produced 6 Limerick wins and 1 draw. I reckon Limerick will win this quite cosily and I'm gonna chance the HT-FT at 7/4

Bohemians V UCD @4/5: UCD have had their usual good start to the season and lie in 5th place in the table.The highlight of their good run was a 1-0 win away in Derry. They showed their old inconsistentcies last week by grabbing a lucky draw against a poor Longford side.

Bohs have had trouble scoring this year and have been drawing games which they should be winning. However Neale Fenne is in line to partner Crowe tonight and I reckon the two of them could work well together. Bohs traditionally win this fixture and have lost just once against UCD in 10 outings.

Waterford V Drogheda @8/13: Can't see anything but an away victory tonight. Drogheda know a victory will lift them to the top of the league following Pats loss last night and more significantly their injury woes are slowly disappearing and they welcome back Fitzpatrick and O Brien tonight. O Brien is especially significant as hes a very good striker.

Verdict:
Limerick HT-FT @7/4--Confidence 5/10--(Limerick straight win @4/6 8/10)
Bohemians @4/5--Confidence 7/10
Drogheda @8/13 Confidence 8/10

[Dublin]

http://www.bohemian-fc.com/home/home...ue_game_v_ucd/

Bohemians Boss Sean Connor reports a “mini injury crisis” with Fergal Harkin (knee), Dessie Byrne (heel), Harpal Singh (shoulder) and Dean Pooley (ankle) all out of contention for tomorrow nights game.
In addition, with Darren Mansaram serving an automatic one-match suspension, Connor expects the depth and quality of his squad to be fully tested.
“I have called up Mick Mooney, Cathal Brady, and Killian O’Grady from our u-21s to provide cover and I have no fear in involving all three such has been their form” said the Dalymount boss.
The manager expects a testing game against UCD. “They are a decent Premier side who are never easy to play against and they have hit a bit of form in recent weeks," he said.
"If my players want to be as good as I want them to be, then these are the games we must win - three league points is tomorrow nights goal."

--------

Bohs are on the drift, anyone considering backing them should get better prices than the ones being quoted above. Bohs and Shamrock will be popular bets this weekend; I'm sure plenty of people will be looking at the double too. I think the Shamrock game will be a draw but I won't be betting, and I don't trust a weakened Bohs team to have enough for UCD. I would make Drogheda as solid a bet as you will see this weekend though, they should comfortably beat Waterford to nil.

[Chief77]

That Bohemians injury news is nowhere near as bad as it sounds. Out of the 5 players mentioned only Pooley has been playing regularly this season. Singh has only started 1 game, Byrne has been injured for ages now, Harkin has only started 3 games all season and has generally been on the bench.

Mansaram has a more than able replacement in Neale Fenne and will not be much of a loss to be honest.

One more for me this weekend will be Cobh to beat Athlone. Cobh are in great form lately and have won 5 and drawn 1 of their last 6 games. They've developed a knack of scoring late winners lately which shows they're fighting right til the end. Athlone have been pretty poor and have won just once in 5 games. I expect a home win. This is probably my bet of the weekend.

Verdict:
Cobh Ramblers @4/5--Confidence 8/10

[Keith]

I am with you Chief but I'll keep it to a Drogheda/Limerick double.

Also intrigued with the Galway price but yet to decide