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Friday's eircom League previews

Thursday 7th October 2004, 10:54 pm

Kevin Hunt, suspended for Bohs.

Photo by Tom Carey.

Friday night sees five eircom League games to be played. The top two in the league meet on TV, there is a big Dublin derby and the troubled Shamrock Rovers are hoping to end a horrible run.

Bohemians vs St. Patricks Athletic
(Dalymount Park - 7:45 pm - Premier)
A year ago to the day, Bohs and St. Pats played out the now legendary 4-3 FAI Cup semi-final at Richmond Park. A measure of the strife the Saints are in, they've lost all five games against Bohs since that titanic victory.
Bohs should have a near full strength squad to choose from as they welcome back Glen Crowe, Fergal Harkin and Ken Oman from injury. It remains to be seen how much Gareth Farrelly changes his side with the returning players now available. The suspension of Kevin Hunt will prompt at least one change and Bobby Ryan's injury doubt could create an opening for further changes.
The Saints should be at full strength as Dessie Byrne and Keith Fahey return from suspension. The game should mark Robbie Doyle's first game back at Dalymount Park since his acrimonious split with Bohs earlier in the season.
League form for Bohemians : DWWDW
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : DLLWW
Previous meeting(s) : St. Patricks Athletic 1-2 Bohemians (10/09/2004)
Bohemians 3-1 St. Patricks Athletic (31/05/2004)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-2 Bohemians (02/04/2004)
Bohemians 3-0 St. Patricks Athletic (30/11/2003)
St. Patricks Athletic 2-4 Bohemians (17/10/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Drogheda United vs Shelbourne
(United Park - 7:45 pm - Premier - Live on RTE TV)
Drogheda have slipped totally out of form in recent weeks and manager Paul Doolin will be hoping his side can get their act together ahead of the top-of-the-table clash with Shelbourne.
Shelbourne themselves are looking to pick themselves up, having lost at home to Derry on Monday.
John Flanagan is suspended for Drogheda after his sending off against Waterford in the Drogs' last league game.
Kevin Doherty returns to the Shelbourne squad after injury but Joseph Ndo is out for the remainder of the season. Shels are expected to make only one or two changes, despite Monday's loss.
League form for Drogheda United : LLWDW
League form for Shelbourne : LWWWL
Previous meeting(s) : Shelbourne 0-2 Drogheda United (18/07/2004)
Drogheda United 2-2 Shelbourne (14/06/2004)
Shelbourne 3-0 Drogheda United (02/04/2004)
Shelbourne 2-0 Drogheda United (17/11/2003)
Drogheda United 0-1 Shelbourne (23/09/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.

Shamrock Rovers vs Derry City
(Richmond Park - 7:00 pm - Premier)
Shamrock Rovers are still looking to end their awful run, now nine league games without a win. The Rovers players could be forgiven for having their minds elsewhere as the dispute with the Rovers board looks set to escalate. The statements made by members of the Rovers board have only served to add more fuel to the fire.
Trevor Molloy and Jason McGuinness are available again after suspension for Rovers. The Hoops are still the team in Dublin City's sights at the foot of the table.
Derry are looking to build on Monday's victory over Shels and Sean Hargan remains their only absentee.
League form for Shamrock Rovers : LLLDL
League form for Derry City : WDLWD
Previous meeting(s) : Derry City 1-0 Shamrock Rovers (17/07/2004)
Shamrock Rovers 1-0 Derry City (21/05/2004)
Derry City 1-0 Shamrock Rovers (03/04/2004)
Derry City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers (20/11/2003)
Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Derry City (13/10/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Away win.

Athlone Town vs Limerick
(St. Mels Park - 7:45 pm - Division 1)
Athlone Town are looking for their third win on the trot as they host Limerick on Friday night.
Limerick have lost their last five.
Stephen Gavin and Des Hope return from suspension for Athlone but Padraig Moran remains out through injury.
Athlone boss Stephen Kelly on the game : "We are in search of our third win in a row and that is the demand that has been placed on our players. Limerick are always a difficult game and we were very fortunate to come away from Pike Rovers Sports Ground with a win when the teams last met.
The last two games have shown a huge improvement by the Town boys in terms of application and concentration and two hard fought wins were just reward for the efforts. Those levels must be continued and improved on Friday night."
League form for Athlone Town : WWLLW
League form for Limerick : LLLLL
Previous meeting(s) : Limerick 1-2 Athlone Town (03/07/2004)
Athlone Town 4-0 Limerick (16/04/2004)
Limerick 4-3 Athlone Town (02/11/2003)
Athlone Town 2-0 Limerick (22/08/2003)
Limerick 1-0 Athlone Town (15/05/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.

Galway United vs Cobh Ramblers
(Terryland Park - 7:30 pm - Division 1)
Two teams just waiting for the season to end, meet at Terryland Park on Friday.
Galway look set to finish fifth while Cobh are destined to end up in the lower reaches.
Galway's Derek O'Brien is suspended.
League form for Galway United : LWLDW
League form for Cobh Ramblers : WLLLL
Previous meeting(s) : Cobh Ramblers 0-0 Galway United (03/07/2004)
Galway United 0-0 Cobh Ramblers (16/04/2004)
Cobh Ramblers 2-0 Galway United (01/11/2003)
Galway United 1-0 Cobh Ramblers (23/08/2003)
Cobh Ramblers 0-5 Galway United (17/05/2003)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Home win.