FAI Cup: First round replay
Belgrove v Finn Harps (Belgrove Park, 1.45)
Neither camp is reporting anything serious by way of injury problems and, after Declan Boyle's successful appeal against a two-match ban last week, neither club is handicapped by suspensions either.
Harps travel to Dublin knowing that they should have won this tie at the first attempt, but they are likely to face an even more determined opposition with the wrangling over the venue for this replay and the prospect of taking on Cork in the second round helping Tony Macken to further motivate his players.
Macken insists that he would happily have travelled to Finn Park again, but the club is expecting a decent crowd this afternoon and he is hoping that if their fans get behind the side they could pull off what would still be the shock of the round.
The former international expects to field a similar side to the one that came away with a nil all draw two weeks ago and may stick with the same starting line up. Harps are likely to make at least one change in midfield.
Playing to meet: Cork City (away).
Betting: Home - 13/2; Draw - 3/1; Away - 4/ 11.
Referee: P Whelan (Dublin).
National League Premier Division
Shelbourne v Dundalk (Tolka Park, 7.45)
Dundalk signed Athlone's Colin Fortune and 28-year-old Frenchman Lanvin Fribenc yesterday. Both are midfielders, the latter of the attacking variety, and both will go straight into the squad for tonight's match. Fribenc is expected to get international clearance by close of business at the league's offices.
Otherwise it's mixed news for manager Jim McLaughlin, with Tom McNulty suspended again and Lee Thew (Phew to Aertel watchers) expected to miss out with an ankle injury. David Capper is still missing, too, but Padraig Gallogley returns to action after serving out a two-match suspension.
Shelbourne are likely to stick with an unchanged side for the fourth game in succession if Dessie Baker comes through a fitness test on an ankle injury. If he doesn't, manager Dermot Keely has a few possible replacements to choose from. Greg Costello looks favourite to come in.
Last two seasons: 1997/98 - Dundalk 0 Shelbourne 1, Shelbourne 2 Dundalk 0, Dundalk 2 Shelbourne 1; 98/99 - Dundalk 1 Shelbourne 2.
Recent league form: Shelbourne - WWWLL; Dundalk - DWLLW.
Leading scorers: Shelbourne - Sheridan (eight) Fenlon (six); Dundalk - Ward (three).
Betting: Home - 4/9; Draw - 5/2; Away - 13/2. Referee: T Tully (Waterford).
Betting courtesy of Paddy Power.
