Sunday (3.15 unless stated)
Cork City v Shelbourne (2.0)
"All we can do now is make sure we win this one and push it to the last weekend," says Cork City boss Dave Barry who concedes that his side will be fortunate to snatch the title away from the defending champions. Barry is disappointed with the way his side lost last week's big game in Inchicore feeling a couple of crucial decisions should have gone the other way and that City were good enough to take something out of the match.
The hosts will be desperate to keep their hopes alive by beating InterToto hopefuls Shelbourne but they'll have to do it without last week's late substitute Noel Hartigan, who has a hamstring problem. Otherwise the southerners look strong with Gerald Dobbs back after another hamstring pull.
Shelbourne have a couple of problems in defence with Pat Scully carrying a hip injury and Tony McCarthy having played for several weeks on a damaged ankle.
Scully will face a test today, while McCarthy is also likely to play. Dave Campbell is back in contention and, if Scully misses out, he could be the one to come in. Richie Baker is also back and may well start.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Shelbourne 3 City 1, City 4 Shelbourne 4, Shelbourne 1 City 1; 98/99: City 2 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 3 City 3.
Recent league form: City: DDWWL, Shelbourne: WLDWL.
Leading scorers: City: Flanagan (11), Shelbourne: Sheridan (10).
Betting: Home: 8/13, Draw: 13/5, Away: 7/2.
Referee: P McKeon (Dublin).
Derry City v Finn Harps
For Derry this game is about pride, but for their visitors, Charlie McGeever insists, there are cup final places against Bray up for grabs. Brian McKenna is back for the visitors, as are Jonathon Speak and Tom Mohan, while Kevin McHugh retains his place in the starting lineup.
City boss Kevin Mahon just wants his side to finish above their local rivals at this stage, so they'll have to win this tie. Mahon is missing a number of players however. Liam Coyle has an achilles tendon injury and he is highly doubtful, while Sean Hargan, Gary Beckett and Shaun Gallagher are all likely to be absent too. Paul Curran should play, while Darren Kelly will start again.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Derry 1 Harps 0, Harps 1 Derry 0; Derry 0 Harps 0; 98/99: Derry 2 Harps 1, Harps 2 Derry 2.
Recent league form: Derry: WWLLL, Harps: LLLWL.
Leading scorers: Derry: Coyle (eight), Harps: Mulligan (10).
Betting: Home: 4/5, Draw: 5/2, Away: 11/4.
Referee: H Byrne (Dublin).
Waterford v Bray Wdrs
Neither manager will care much about how his side wins this one as long as they grab the three points.
Wanderers will be without Alan Smith again, while the hosts are likely to have a full panel available. On form, Waterford might just have the edge with their dramatically improved defence providing the backbone of their revival in recent weeks. However, given the way all of the strugglers have torn up the form book over the past month or so, it should be an interesting tussle.
Last two seasons: 1997/98: Waterford 0 Bray 3, Bray 0 Waterford 1 , Waterford 1 Bray 3.; 98/99: Bray 6 Waterford 0, Bray 0 Waterford 1.
Recent league form: Waterford: Bray:
Leading scorers: Waterford: Gannon (four), Bray: Byrne (five).
Betting: Home: 5/4, Draw: 9/4, Away: 7/4.
Referee: D Hancock (Dublin).
First Division
None of the four first division teams in action this evening really has anything to play for, although Kilkenny City can at least gain some pride from finishing fourth if they can overtake Longford between now and Sunday evening.
Alfie Hale admits that the last couple of games mean little to him after the club's controversy and its failure to figure in the promotion battle up until the death.
