Shelbourne manager Pat Fenlon is obliged to make changes at the back for this evening's visit of Longford Town, with his regular fullbacks, Owen Heary and Ollie Cahill, suspended, while Dean Delaney misses out after picking up an injury during Monday's defeat by Linfield in the Setanta Cup.

The Dubliners' problems are compounded by doubts about Greg O'Halloran's fitness, and so Seán Dillon could switch from centre to fullback for this, his first appearance in Shelbourne colours against the club he left during the close season.

For the visitors, it will be a first competitive outing of the season, as last week's game against Sligo had to be postponed. Manager Alan Matthews concedes that this puts his players at a slight disadvantage.

"The fact is, though, that with the players they have it's always going to be tough to go there," he says. "The important thing is that we have everyone available (Dave Mooney is training again but is unlikely to start) and they'll all be up for it . . . It'll be hard, but in that way it's not such a bad game to start the season with."

UCD will again be without Tony McDonnell for their game against St Patrick's Athletic at Belfield, the skipper having pulled a hamstring in training last week.

"It's not too bad, but we won't risk him yet," says Pete Mahon.

There is better news elsewhere: the club's young striker Paul Byrne is in line to make the bench after close to a year out with a groin injury.

John McDonnell will be without the suspended Alan Reilly for the game against the students, while Colm Foley and Chris Armstrong are still recovering from injuries.

TONIGHT'S FIXTURES

Premier Division: Shelbourne v Longford Town, UCD v St Patrick's Athletic (both 7.45)

First Division: Dundalk v Cobh Ramblers (6.0).