Shamrock Rovers are seeking a return to winning ways in the League of Ireland Premier Division tonight as Dundalk visit Tallaght Stadium for another televised game on RTÉ Sport [coverage starts at 7.35pm].
The Hoops had two bad defeats in the latter part of May to lowly Drogheda United and Cork City.
Three red cards in Turner's Cross caused considerable controversy and frustration, but events off-field took attention away from the result as Stephen Bradley was subjected to shocking abuse by a handful of people after the game.
It was a night to forget for Rovers, yet they received a boost 24 hours later when leaders Derry City were beaten in Sligo.
With 18 matches played – the exact halfway point in the year – Bradley’s side have accumulated 34 points. Last year they had 39 and seven-point lead over City.
Nevertheless, as Paul Corry pointed out on this week’s RTÉ Soccer Podcast, Bradley will be scratching his head how they are not further behind given it’s just a single point.
Richie Towell, Sean Hoare and Johnny Kenny ar eall suspended after seeing red in Cork, while Dylan Watts and Trevor Clarke remain injured.
Dundalk manager Stephen O’Donnell kept his players in the dressing-room for over an hour after defeat to 10-men St Patrick’s Athletic.
It has been a struggle for the Lilywhites – they are eight points worse off than 2022 in what has been a much more competitive division this campaign.
A European challenge remains their goal and it’s still within reach. Indeed eight points is the difference between them and top spot so all is not lost.
O’Donnell’s attempts to converse with the players in the Inchicore dressing-room was undoubtedly soul-searching to improve over the coming months.
They begin a Europa Conference League campaign in July – a competition which could go a long way to helping the Dundalk boss improve his squad in the future.
Avoiding defeat would be a welcome result for the Lilywhites before UCD visit Oriel Park on Monday and then a Louth derby follows. These seven days before the break will be crucial in their season.
Leaders Derry City host Shelbourne as they aim to turn the tables on a very poor display in Sligo.
Ruaidhri Higgins admitted his side simply weren’t good enough as they were beaten by 10-men. It was all the more startling given the Bit O’ Red had lost their last three.
It was ironic that City had finally sorted out their home form – winning the last two scoring seven goals – only to suffer a first loss on the road.
Shels continue to be one of the toughest opponents in the division. Damien Duff proudly boasts the best defence in the country, with just 11 conceded in 17 matches, and some key men are now returning from injury.
St Patrick’s Athletic are loving life under Jon Daly with another win last week even bringing the top two almost within reach.
Tonight’s game against UCD could see Pat’s move to within two points of the summit if results go their way ahead of the all-important July transfer window and European schedule.
It’s not such a happy place for UCD at the moment. They showed good spirit to go ahead in Drogheda last week through Adam Wells, only for United to fight back with three goals of their own.
They’re now nine points behind the play-off spot so the writing is on the wall already.
The teams directly above them meet in Weavers Park as Drogheda welcome Cork City.
These sides have won their last two matches, having must have felt when leaving the field they are about to make ground on each other.
It’s a real six-pointer and of particularly importance to Cork as they could find themselves seven points out from safety.
Finally Bohemians can only make ground towards the top tonight when a depleted Sligo Rovers visit.
Declan Devine's side have not scored in two home games. They'll be hopeful of changing that against a Sligo outfit down on defensive numbers.
The Bit O'Red stopped a poor run against Derry last time out.
Shamrock Rovers v Dundalk, Tallaght Stadium, 7.45pm, RTÉ2
Shamrock Rovers come into the game off the back of a bizarre 1-0 defeat to Cork City at Turner's Cross last week.
Rovers were reduced to eight players as Richie Towell, Johnny Kenny and Sean Hoare were all sent-off, but even then it took until the 85th minute for Cork to actually break the deadlock.
As Rovers manager Stephen Bradley explains: "We were more annoyed, to be honest, because I think with 11, 10, and even nine men we were very comfortable and good in the game. And I felt even with nine men, we'd go on and get something out of the game, but then obviously when you go to eight it becomes extremely difficult."
Those red cards means that Rovers will be without Towell, Kenny and Hoare along with Neil Farrugia, while Dylan Watts and Trevor Clarke both continue to recover from injury with Watts being further along.
Defeat to Cork came on the back of a 2-1 reversal at home to Drogheda and having recovered from a slow start to the season before that, Bradley is eager to stop the rot against Dundalk.
"It'll be a tough game," he said. "No doubt, Dundalk are a well-coached team. They always come with a good game plan, and I don’t see any difference with that on Friday night.
"We know they have players that have been around and won things and are dangerous so we’re in for a tough game, but every game we’ve seen this year is a tough game in this league. We expect no different on Friday, but if we stay at performing levels that we have been in the last few months, and obviously tidy up in both boxes, I think we’ll be OK.
"We don't like losing games and we’ll do everything possible to get back to winning ways on Friday night."
Dundalk boss O'Donnell insists that Tallaght is the best possible place to get back on the horse.
"Tallaght is a great venue, it's a lovely pitch, and it’s a great arena," he said. "The game is live on television and the boys have trained really well and we can't wait to go up the road and put on a good performance.
"After a loss, you want to get back on the horse as quickly as possible and put things right. We were very disappointed that we didn't really ram home the advantage against Pat’s last week but the only way you get that out of your system is to get back on the field and go and try and right a few things."
The visitors will be without Robbie Benson, John Mountney and Anthony Moyo but are boosted by the return of Andy Boyle.
While Dundalk's recent form has been patchy, the manager points out that every team has been dropping points in 2023.
"I think there are different narratives going around the league but the fact of the matter is that everyone's been very similar to each other and you can see that with the table," said O'Donnell.
"We've lost two of our last nine and everyone's had peaks and troughs. That's why it's so condensed. A few wins and you're back in the mix; we're well aware of that.
"We're not getting too despondent with the losses or too carried away when we win. It's a marathon, not a sprinter’s league and we’re in touch with where we want to be and a good week would put us right back in there."
Derry City v Shelbourne, Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium, 7.45pm
Title hopefuls Derry City welcome Shelbourne to the Brandywell as they look to bounce back from a 2-1 defeat to Sligo Rovers last week.
That game was an end to a run of four successive victories and was a first defeat on the road for the Candystripes this season - something that Ruaidhri Higgins says needs to drive his team on this weekend.
"It was a very disappointing night but we have addressed it, as you have to do, and we move on," he told Derrycityfc.net.
"The players know what's expected of them. We have to find a way and we need players going on to the pitch with a real desire to win the match. We’ve reached the halfway stage and we’re sitting at the top of the table at the minute but we have to ensure we have more performances like the previous weeks."
The Candystripes will be without the suspended Sadou Diallo for the game but otherwise have the same squad that travelled to Sligo last week.
Shelbourne have won four of their past five games and currently boast the strongest defensive record in the league, with just 11 goals conceded all season.
Manager Damien Duff stresses the importance of a sound defensive base, but notes that Shels need to add more strings up front.
"Everything should be built on a solid defensive structure. We have that. The coaching staff have worked tirelessly with the team and lads have really bought into this. Now it’s about kicking into gear and playing with a sense of freedom, keeping the football and looking after it.
"You know what to expect at the Brandywell. It is a tough place to go, artificial surface and a big pitch, if you give Derry a chance it could mean big trouble. They're a top side with top players."
The visitors are still without Kian Leavy and Paddy Barrett, though Sean Boyd and Gavin Molloy returned to the fold in the draw with Bohemians.
UCD v St Patrick's Athletic, UCD Bowl, 7.45pm
St Patrick's Athletic make the short trip to the UCD Bowl to take on the league's basement side
The Saints are in a rich vein of form, having won four of their last five games and are have shown encouraging signs of tightening up at the back, since Jon Daly took charge.
An impressive 2-1 victory over Dundalk last time out served to underline St Pat's European credentials although the win came at a price with a serious injury for Tom Grivosti.
The club has since confirmed that Grivosti suffered a ruptured anterior cruciate knee ligament injury and will have to undergo surgery along with a lengthy recovery period.
Joe Redmond and Daniel Rogers continue to be absent for the Saints, while Axel Sjoberg is also out having picked up a knock against Dundalk. Jake Mulrany is suspended for the red card he recieved last time out.
UCD, who are now nine points behind second from bottom side Cork City, will be without the injured Jack Keaney.
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers, Dalymount Park, 7.45pm
Declan Devine's side have worked hard to remain in the mix at top of the table but he has told his players they are going to have to work even harder to stay there.
Bohs have been frustrated in recent games and have gone without a win in four games. But the two teams of them have dropped points too, meaning Devine’s men are just four off the top and with a game in hand.
"I am delighted with where we are," the manager said. "I am delighted with who we brought in during our first transfer window. I am delighted with the group and what the group is bringing to the table.
"But it is key that week by week, we strive to get better and keep trying to pick up as many points as we possibly can.
"With three games this week, we have got to target getting as many points on board as possible. Bottom line is everybody in this league is taking points off each other and that's the way the league is. There are no poor teams."
For Sligo, Garry Buckley continues to progress and is back in training and stepping up his recovery from his ACL injury. Mark Byrne is a couple of weeks behind him but is also progressing well.
Gary Boylan, Karl O' Sullivan, James Finnerty, Fabrice Hartmann and Conor Walsh are definitely out.
Greg Bolger will face a late fitness test as well as defender Nando Pijnaker but Eanna Clancy is available again.
John Mahon serves a one-game suspension after his red card against Derry City.
Despite his side's injury woes ,Bit O Red boss John Russell is hoping for a spirited performance.
"Bohemians are a tough opponent. Our previous meeting was a tight affair, and a set play was the difference on the night.
'"We know we’re down a few bodies through injury and suspension but there is a lot of belief in this group.
‘"We’re expecting another big following on Friday night so hopefully we can deliver a top performance."
Drogheda United v Cork City, Weavers Park, 7.45pm
Cork City head to Weavers Park on the back of successive 1-0 home wins, albeit last Friday's victory over the champions was marred by the chanting directed at Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley, concerning his son's illness.
Two supporters were issued with lifetime bans this week and Cork boss Richie Holland said that he was anxious on the evening to assure Bradley that the chants were not representative of the club's support.
"The night was overshadowed by it. It wasn't nice and I don't think it represents what we are as a club. I think you've seen the true Cork City come out in the days since. That's the true reflection of our fanbase.
"I was on the pitch and I was made aware of it (the chanting) by a member of the Shamrock Rovers staff. My first reaction was to go to Stephen and apologise to him on the pitch. I made sure that I let him know that it wasn't a reflection on our club.
"It shouldn't accepted in football. It shouldn't be accepted in society. Hopefully, lessons will be learned from it."
The game itself was rather tempestuous on the pitch, with the visitors amazingly ending up with eight men on the pitch for the final 20 minutes. It took Cork until the 85th minute to engineer the winner against the grossly depleted Hoops, Ruari Keating firing the winner.
"The red cards happened, it was bonkers really in the second half, the way it exploded. The main thing for us was to keep our composure because when you're playing against 10, 9, 8, what happens is then is that the expectancy from the crowd is about 'let's get the goal, let's get the goal'.
"Every misplaced pass or cross or shot that doesn't hit the target, there's a louder groan. In fairness to the lads, they kept their composure and it was a great goal to win the game."
Matt Healy returns after a suspension incurred after his red card against Sligo Rovers, Cian Coleman returns from injury. However, Ally Gilchrist remains a doubt.
While they come into the game off back-to-back wins, they have mustered just two points from a possible 18 away from home.
"That's probably next on the list. We need to go and get three points away from home. We've been in winning positions in games away from home. Look at Dundalk a couple of weeks ago.
"We've been in control of games, at times. And individual errors or refereeing decisions have gone against us. They've cost us."
