Dundalk v Cork City, Oriel Park, 7.35pm, live RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player
This is a massive game in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division title race. Cork have been astute, functional and typical of what we have come to expect from a John Caulfield team, and garned 18 wins from 23 games as a result.
Dundalk have scored bundles of goals, added a new depth to their squad and in Patrick Hoban have a goal machine that wins titles. But City go into the game with the one-point lead. This game will have a big say on where the trophy ends up as two great rivals face off again.
Team news
Dundalk: Dundalk will be without the injured Stephen O'Donnell as he continues the recovery from a broken leg while John Mountney is nearing a return following his medial knee injury. Other than that, Stephen Kenny has no other injury concerns and no suspensions to contend with.
Cork City: Karl Sheppard, Steven Beattie, Alan Bennett and Gearóid Morrissey have all had knocks and will be assessed ahead of the game.
Gaffer talk
Stephen Kenny (Dundalk): "The players have shown a great attitude and we are on a great run. We put in some great performances before the break.
"It should be a good atmosphere in Oriel Park. It's going to be a difficult game but we are all very much looking forward to it and we are all enthused by the occasion."
John Caulfield (Cork City): "We know it will be a very tough, intense game. Games between the two teams have been really close over the last few years, and we expect nothing different this time around. Like we always do, we are going there to try and win the match.
"Over the last number of years, we have had some really good results there, but we know we need to be at our best tomorrow. We know that, if we perform to our best, then we feel we can get the points."
"I think it is a good game for us, coming back from the break. A lot of the lads did work themselves over the break, and their physical condition is excellent. Training has been excellent all week; since last Sunday, everyone has been on the button and ready to go, and that’s the way we need it to be."
Bohemians v St Patrick's Athletic, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
These Dublin sides come into this one desperare for a win. Bohemians are looking over their shoulders, averaging less than a point a game from their 22 matches so far, with goals a major problem for Keith Long's men.
Pat's had been threatening a run at Europe but a run of five defeats has seen them fall behind Shamrock Rovers again. That fourth spot could still yield a Europa League spot, but they need to get their season back on track.
Team news
Bohemians: Darragh Leahy (knee), Karl Moore (ankle) and Colin McCabe (shoulder) are all available for selection once more.
Cristian Magerusan, out with a broken metatarsal since pre-season, played 45 minutes and scored for the U19s in a friendly against Glentoran on Saturday as he continues his recovery.
Ryan Swan (cruciate) remains out.
St Patrick's Athletic: The Saints are boosted by the returns of Thomas Byrne and Kevin Toner from suspension, however Christy Fagan misses out on the game against his former club with a knee injury.
Gaffer talk
Keith Long (Bohemians): "I thought we were very good in Cork. It was necessary that we put in a performance after we felt we let ourselves down against Derry.
"We were very unlucky down in Cork. We had a goal disallowed and a goal cleared off the line.
"Conceding so late in the game was very disappointing. But overall it was a good performance.
"If we play like that every week, we will be fine. But we all know we have to be more consistent."
Liam Buckley (St Patrick's Athletic): "We are confident we can get a good run of form going. We kept a lot of clean sheets in games that we won at the start of the season and created a lot of chances. We were confident in those games, and still are confident as we have a good group of lads here and we have a lot of quality."
Limerick v Bray Wanderers, Markets Field, 7:45pm
It's no exaggeration to say if Limerick lose this game, they will be strong favourites to be automatically relegated. Their squad has been ripped apart this week and inferior players are likely to take their place. But a win will open up a nine-point advantage over the Seagulls with 12 games to go. It's a big one.
Limerick’s last home win came against Bray Wanderers in March when Danny Morrissey's late goal separated the sides, but the Shannonsiders have not won in 11 at the Markets Field since.
Team news
Limerick: Manager Tommy Barrett has had a week where he has had to contend with a number of departures from the playing squad, although only one of the quartet that have left were likely to start against the Seagulls.
Midfielder Conor Clifford and striker Mark O’Sullivan – who both would have missed the game in any case through a hamstring injury and suspension respectively – have exited the club, as have New Zealand international winger Henry Cameron and forward Daniel Kearns.
Strike pair Connor Ellis (hip), and Danny Morrissey (hamstring) are set for a return from injury, with Ellis' comeback a particular boost as he nears full fitness for the first time this season having recently received an injection in his troubled area.
Midfielder Barry Maguire (quad) and the versatile Eoin Wearen (shin splints) are doubtful with striker Jeff McGowan also on that list, while defender Killian Brouder (concussion) is a certain absentee
Bray Wanderers: Manager Martin Russell will have the same squad to pick from following the 0-0 draw with Waterford, with the additions of Conor Kenna and Gary McCabe.
Aaron Greene has resumed training following a lengthy absence but the game comes too soon for the Wanderers striker. Hugh Douglas, Darragh Gibbons , John Sullivan , Dylan Hayes and Darragh Noone all remain sidelined through injury.
Gaffer talk
Tommy Barrett (Limerick):
"We still have a strong team going out on the pitch and we will be aiming for the three points. Hopefully, we can get level with Bohemians and keep in touch with the teams above us in the table. As always, we’ll go and do our best.
"It would be great to win, obviously. We will be hoping for a better showing than that against Shamrock Rovers before the break. We need to create more chances, take them and stop conceding silly goals. We’ll go into the game positive."
Martin Russell (Bray Wanderers): "The game represents a real challenge. We are going into it in a positive manner. Obviously I know a lot of the Limerick players and staff, and I have empathy on all the recent documented troubles. It can be hard to fully concentrate on a game with uncertainties hanging over you.
"We can only try and build on our recent form, continuing to give it our best shot at achieving something that many folk don’t think possible."
Shamrock Rovers v Derry City, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm
Stephen Bradley has had many false dawns as Hoops manager, but wins against Bray Wanderers and Limerick has eased some of the pressure on his position. This is another important game in the chase for a European spot.
Derry have been on a terrible run, and suffered another heavy defeat before the break. They are awaiting more reinforcements that can play in July so this could be diffcult. Dean Shiels, son of Kenny, signed on Thursday.
Team news
Shamrock Rovers: Greg Bolger and Ethan Boyle serve one-game bans. Trevor Clare is the only player absent because of injury.
Derry City: Midfielder Aaron McEneff, linked with a move to Rotherham, is suspended. Ben Fisk, unveiled last week as the manager’s first signing of the transfer window, can go straight into the squad.
Gaffer talk
Stephen Bradley (Shamrock Rovers): "This is a big game. I’m sure Derry will come and try to play and we’ve got to be ready for that. If we reach our levels like we did in the second half against Limerick the result will look after itself, but we’ll have to because they are a good side.
"We scored six at home against Derry last time, but in Derry I actually thought we were better.
"We played really well and it could have been two or three that night. It just wouldn’t go in for us but we know those games have no bearing on tomorrow."
Kenny Shiels (Derry City): "It will obviously be a very tough game but we have to try to fight our way back into the top three or four."
"Tallaght is a difficult place to go as we already know but we’ve prepared well and will go there to try to win the game as we always do."
