Today

Cork City v St Patrick's Ath (2.0)

The leaders are close to full strength for one of the season's biggest games with only Fergus O'Donoghue sure to be absent from Dave Barry's panel for the game at Turner's Cross this afternoon.

Dave Hill, who missed the 2-0 defeat at Richmond Park earlier in the season, will be back from suspension and goes straight into the heart of the home side's defence while Pat Morley and John Caulfield, who Barry says have done exceptionally well over the past couple of weeks, are likely to retain their places up front.

The Dubliners, meanwhile, have everybody fit for the trip, although Robbie Devereux and Trevor Molloy are suspended. The absence of Molloy, scorer of 10, 11 or 12 league goals this season depending on which versions you subscribe to, will be a particular blow to Liam Buckley for his partnership with Ian Gilzean up front has been a key factor in the team's success to date. It may well represent, however, the opportunity that Martin Reilly has been waiting for.

Last week's win in Sligo will mean that Buckley's side travel full of confidence about the task facing them, but Barry makes it clear that the home side don't have much by way of injury or suspensions to worry about "so we don't have any excuses either".

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Cork 0 St Patrick's 1, St Patrick's 3 Cork 3, Cork 1 St Patrick's 1; 98/99: St Patrick's 2 Cork 0.

Recent league form: Cork: DLWWD; St Patrick's: DDDWW.

Leading scorers: Cork: Flanagan and Cahill (six apiece); St Patrick's: Gilzean (12), Molloy (10).

Betting: Home: 6/4, Draw: 15/8, Away: 7/4. Referee: J McDermott (Dublin).

Derry City v UCD (7.30)

Everybody in the Derry camp is available for the visit of the students and so the hosts, still angry about the late decision to call off their game at Dalymount last Friday night, may well be unchanged from the side that beat Longford in the cup.

UCD have a problem or two, though, with Glen Fitzpatrick, Ciaran Martyn and Tony McDonnell all out or seriously doubtful for the game. Fitzpatrick is off to South Africa on Tuesday with Brian Kerr and is training tomorrow, Martyn is suspended and McDonnell has a hamstring injury which has prevented him from training all week.

"We still have good lads like Eoin Bennis, Ken Kilmurray and Robert McAuley to come in," says Theo Dunne, "so we won't be badly fixed although we know it's going to very tough up there with both teams looking at having to win if they are to keep thinking in terms of finishing in the top four."

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Derry 1 UCD 1, UCD 1 Derry 2, Derry 0 UCD 3; 98/99: UCD 2 Derry 2.

Recent league form: Derry: WDLLW; UCD: WWDDL.

Leading scorers: Derry: Coyle (six) McHugh (four); UCD: O'Byrne (six), Bennis (four).

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 12/5, Away: 5/2. Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).

Tomorrow

Dundalk v Waterford Utd (3.15)

Mike Flanagan's side may be better fixed than they have been for a while but it just doesn't seem to get any better for Jim McLaughlin and his Lillywhites. Brian Byrne, expected to return against Limerick in midweek, misses out again due to an ongoing knee problem, David Hoey is still several weeks away from returning and Jumbo Brennan is highly doubtful with, among other things, a hamstring.

That means young David Martin, who came on for Brennan very early on in Rathbane, may start alongside David Ward up front while Tom McNulty squeezes in another game between suspensions. Flanagan, meanwhile, has a number of players recovering from long-term injuries and hopes to have a couple available for selection but most interest will surround Derek McGrath and Brian Flood who will partner each other in the centre of midfield. "They're good players with a lot of experience and we have high hopes for them," says Flanagan.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Did not meet; 98/99: Recent league form: Dundalk: DDWLL; Waterford: LLDLL.

Leading scorers: Dundalk: Reddish, Ward and McNulty (two apiece); Waterford: Dully, Wood and Gannon (two apiece).

Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 12/5, Away: 5/2. Referee: J Stacey (Athlone).

Shamrock Rvrs v Sligo Rvrs (3.15)

Sligo come to Dublin in serious need of a win but Tolka Park doesn't look like the place to get it just now for, Cork City aside, there haven't been too many sides that have gone home with much to show for visiting Mick Byrne's team on their home turf. Tomorrow the visitors will probably be without Steve Birks, who hasn't shaken off an ankle problem yet, while Conor O'Grady has a combination of the flu and an ankle problem and so could also miss out again.

The Dubliners, on the other hand, are hopeful that Jason Sherlock will pass a fitness test on a back problem he sustained in the win over UCD, but Brendan Markey is doubtful with the flu and Mark O'Neill is looking at having his feet up for a couple of weeks at least after having an operation yesterday on a minor knee problem.

Last two seasons: 1997/98: Rovers 1 Sligo 1, Sligo 0 Rovers 1, Rovers 0 Sligo 0; 98/99: Recent league form: Rovers: WDDDW; Sligo: LDLLL.

Leading scorers: Rovers: Kenny (seven), Sherlock (six); Sligo: Hallows (seven), Shannon (six). Betting: Home: 4/6, Draw: 12/5, Away: 100/30. Referee: A O'Regan (Cork).

First Division

Both of tonight's games should be interesting affairs with Home Farm and Monaghan, if recent matches are anything to go by, likely to produce a few goals while Cobh and Longford's clash looks like being another of the mid-season promotion showdowns.

The home side have Anthony Kenneally and Pat Maher back from suspension, but everyone who played in the hammering of Garda in Dublin last week is available again and John O'Rourke admits that finding players to leave out in order to make room for the pair will be tricky.

Stephen Kenny, meanwhile, has a full squad available to him again and, having taken a point in Kilkenny last weekend, he will be hoping to do at least as well against a side that Longford have already beaten twice this season. John Vaughan, older brother of Trevor, may start, but that is as much tinkering as the visiting manager is likely to do.

Fixtures: Cobh Ramblers v Longford Town (7.0), Home Everton Everton v Monaghan United (7.30).

Betting courtesy of Paddy Power

Today

IFA Cup, Fifth Round

Glenavon are the Premier Division team most at risk when the big Italians step onto the IFA Cup stage this afternoon. Their season will disintegrate if they fail to despatch First Divison Bangor from the fifth round at Clandeboye Park.

Glenavon are out of the running for the league title and desperately need to stay in the cup to maintain meaningful interest for the remainder of the campaign .