With Sean Maguire appearing to be settling well at Preston, Cork City take on Galway United without him at Turner’s Cross where the rest of the team will be aiming to prove there is more to them than the prolific 23-year-old’s goals.
Maguire’s former team-mates might feel they have a minor point to prove this evening, in particular, as they take on the one side to take even a point from them so far this season.
John Dunleavy is still out injured but Alan Bennett and Jimmy Keohane could feature while United boss Shane Keegan is without Conor Melody or Aaron Conway but hopes to have newly-signed goalkeeper Charlie Burns available.
“Against a side of Cork City’s quality you’re going to have to ride your luck a bit,” says Keegan. “But we would be hoping there might be a bit of a hangover with Kevin O’Connor and Sean Maguire gone.”
Bohemians head to Tallaght without injured full-back Derek Pender while Finn Harps are missing Danny Morrissey and must give a late test to Paddy McCourt as they travel to the Carlisle Grounds.
St Patrick’s Athletic will be hoping to maintain their recent improvement against Drogheda who have gone 13 league matches without a win and are in danger of being cut adrift at the foot of the table. The hosts hope to have Richie Purdy, Ryan Masterson and new recruit Jack Bayly involved but Gavin Brennan is amongst those to miss out through injury.
Fixtures (7.45 unless stated). Premier Division: Bray Wanderers v Finn Harps; Cork City v Galway United; Drogheda United v St Patrick's Athletic; Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians (8.0). First Division: Longford Town v Shelbourne (7.30); UCD v Cabinteely; Waterford v Athlone Town; Wexford v Cobh Ramblers.
