Cork City v Derry City, Turner's Cross, 7.45pm
John Caulfield has admitted Cork City are feeling the effects of a hectic recent schedule, but urged his side to go to the well and deliver what would be a huge three points against Derry City.
It's second versus fourth at Turner’s Cross on Friday night as the Candystripes make the long journey south.
Cork have won their last five league games, including Tuesday night's 1-0 victory at Bohs, and are four points off the champions Dundalk.
Derry are level on points with third-placed Shamrock Rovers after a 2-2 draw against Finn Harps on Tuesday night. Their last away game saw them record an excellent 1-0 victory at St Pat’s.
The sides have met twice this season already, with Derry defeating Caulfied's men at the Brandywell in the league, and again after extra-time in the EA Sports Cup ten days ago at Turner’s Cross. Caulfield is braced for another gruelling collision.
“We’ve quite a number of tired bodies after such a quick turnaround and a few of the lads didn’t train this morning; we are giving them a bit more rest and recovery and hoping that they will be okay," he said.
"The big thing for the lads is that they trained very hard in pre-season and it has stood to them over the last number of weeks.
“We are after winning five in a row and, when you are winning, you have confidence and fellas feel good. It is another massive game for us and, obviously, Derry are third in the table but, at the same time, it is an opportunity for us to win six in a row.
“Derry are up challenging for the title and they beat us in the EA Sports Cup a couple of weeks ago, so we know their team, we know who will play and what way they will play, but, at the same time, our form has been good. If we could finish the week off with another win, it would be absolutely brilliant.”
Gearóid Morrissey is recovering well from a hamstring injury, but is unlikely to be risked for this game. The same applies to John Kavanagh, who is working his way back from a long lay-off.
Eoghan O’Connell also remains unavailable. A number of players sat out training this morning feeling the effects of two away games in quick succession, but will be given every opportunity to make themselves available for selection tomorrow.
St Pat's v Longford Town, 7.45pm
St Pat’s will be looking for a repeat performance from their midweek 3-0 win over Galway United which saw Supersaints Sean Hoare, Billy Dennehy and Conan Byrne all find the back of the net.
Bottom side Longford Town travel to Richmond Park looking for a desperately needed lift after the midweek defeat to Wexford Youths.
Saints manager Liam Buckley is wary of the visitors, and stressed the importance of his players staying focused and building on the dismantling of Galway..
“I was delighted with the result the other night," he told stpatsfc.com. "We didn’t play well for the full game, but when he created chances, we were that bit more clinical in front of goal so the players deserve great credit for that.
“The players however also know that we have to now continue that form and replicate that week in, week out. Longford are next up on Friday and we won’t get anything easy from them. We had a very tough game in Longford back in March and we’re again expecting a similar match, so we’ve got to be at it from the first whistle on Friday night.”
Buckley remains without the services of injured trio Christy Fagan, Conor O’Malley and Jack Bayly, while Graham Kelly also misses out through suspension having been sent off during the week.
Finn Harps v Dundalk, Finn Park, 8.0pm
Dundalk make their first trip to Donegal in almost a decade as they travel to Ballybofey looking to protect their foru-point cushion at the summit.
The Lilywhites edged past Bray Wanderers 1-0 at Oriel Park on Thursday athanks to Andy Boyle’s 21st-minute header to stay four points clear of Cork City.
“It’s a quick turnaround but we are ready," boss Stephen Kenny told the club's website. "We are looking forward to going to Ballybofey. Finn Harps have had a good season, they’ve picked up some good results this season and in particular some good results at home at Finn Park.
“We will have to raise our level. Our level of motivation is high going there. We have had six consecutive away victories this season and we are going to have to raise our performance once again to try and get an important victory.”
Dundalk remain without the injured striking trio of Ciaran O’Connor (broken metatarsal), Ciaran Kilduff (broken back) and Michael O’Connor (ankle ligaments) while captain Stephen O’Donnell and Patrick McEleney are close to returning from ankle ligament and hamstring injuries respectively but Friday will come too soon for both.
Finn Harps are missing Josh Mailey (groin), Raymond Foy (hamstring), Michael Rafter (ankle), Matthew Crossan (knee), Gareth Harkin (calf), Tony McNamee (hamstring), but Ollie Horgan is relishing the chance to take on the champions, and believes his men can make it an uncomfortable evening for them.
"Dundalk are the best team in the league and not too many have beaten them home or away in the last couple of years,” he told the club's website.
“It is a huge task to play Dundalk if you had a week to prepare for the game, but it makes it even harder with three days. That said, it’s the same turnaround for both teams and we’ll prepare as best as we can ahead of the game.
“We may not have the quality of players that they have, but we try to make up for that in other ways."
Wexford Youths v Shamrock Rovers, Ferrycarrig Park, 8.0pm
A rejuvenated Wexford Youths welcome high flying Shamrock Rovers to Ferrycarrig Park on the back of a brilliant victory in Longford.
Shane Keegan was on cloud nine after the 4-2 win that lifted his men up to 10th, and wants more of the same when Rovers come to town.
"Tuesday night's victory in Longford was a great result," he said. "We played some super football at times and the work rate was through the roof.
"If anybody doubted the belief or commitment of these lads then they got their answer. We had a tough couple of weeks but then that was always going to be the case.
"Shamrock Rovers have one of the most talented playing squads in the league, but this Friday they will be just another team that we believe we are capable of taking on, and giving a real fight.
"Our performance in Tallaght showed that while we respect them, we won't fear them. Barry Murphy was in inspired form that night and the lads are looking forward to having another crack at them"
Danny Furlong picked up a minor injury against Longford and is doubtful. Peter Higgins, Lee Grace and Aidan Keenan remain on the medium term injury list while Shane Dunne is pushing for his first start of the season following his return from injury.
Shamrock Rovers come into this one on the back of a comprehensive 3-0 defeat of Sligo Rovers.
They sit in third place, seven points off Dundalk, and with little room for error if they are to harbour genuine title ambitions.
Pat Fenlon is without Luke Byrne who’s been ruled out for the remainder of the season. However, the Hoops are boosted with the return of Maxime Blanchard and David O’Connor to the squad.
