The league’s leading clubs must juggle domestic and European demands over the next couple of weeks.
Shamrock Rovers have the most pressing schedule given that they are away to Galway this evening then off to Luxembourg for their opening Europa League tie on Tuesday. While both games look winnable on paper, Pat Fenlon will be as wary as ever, not least because of the list of absentees he has to cope with for the league game.
Keith Fahey (knee) and Seán O'Connor (Achilles) are already out of next week's encounter while Mikey Drennan is suspended for tonight's match and Max Blanchard, Conor Kenna and Danny North will miss it because of injuries.
The trick for the visitors is take three points from Eamonn Deacy Park – something that would make it 10 wins on the trot over Galway – without amassing more problems.
Galway add new recruits Kevin Horgan and Colm O’Donovan to their squad. David O’Leary is suspended, though, while Andy O’Carroll is out with a foot injury and Jason Molloy, Gary Shanahan and Antaine O’Laoi are all doubts.
Icelandic challenge
As Cork City must head to Derry before turning their attention to the KR of Reykjavik,
John Caulfield
also has things to contend with. Colin Healy is suspended while John Dunleavy, Kieran Djilali and John Kavanagh are all laid up.
Michael McSweeney is a doubt but Darren Dennehy is back from a suspension.
City won the first meeting of the season between the two teams all too easily but Stephen Dooley could feature this time after coming through a good 45 minutes of a charity game last weekend.
Run of form
It is hard to see St Patrick’s Athletic getting back into contention for the title but they have at least found some form in advance of their own European test. Liam Buckley is helped by the return to fitness of Conan Byrne and Killian Brennan.
Christy Fagan, who has hit a bit of form himself, is likely to play his 100th game for the club against Longford. Pat Sullivan and Willie Tyrrell are suspended for the visitors.
Most of the above might have hoped that Dundalk would face a tougher start to the second half of their campaign than a Limerick side that has yet to win a game this season.
The champions, who are at full strength, should avail of the opportunity to hit the ground running again.
Bohemians, meanwhile, have a long list of injuries including Derek Pender, Dan Byrne and Marc Griffin, for the visit of Drogheda, although Robbie Creevy is fit again and United have a doubt about the fitness of Seán Thornton.
