| Eircom League Preview By Larry
Cooney
Candy Stripes Take on Champions
Match of the Weekend
Shelbourne v Derry City, Fri July 1 Tolka Park 7.45pm
The clash of the champions and the Candy Stripes never fails to disappoint
and it is undoubtedly the match of the weekend.
Shels have had an indifferent season so far. Defeated in the Setanta
Cup Pat Fenlon’s team now find themselves five points adrift of leaders
Cork City in second place. The champions certainly cannot afford to concede
much more ground but will have been buoyed by their recent result at Waterford.
Glen Crowe has also been among the goals with his third of the week following
two in the League Cup and Stuart Byrne and Glen Fitzpatrick have also been
in good scoring form.
Meanwhile Derry always appear to relish a trip to Tolka Park and are
right in contention for the league runners-up sport, six points behind the
leaders. It should be an interesting encounter.
Verdict: Draw
Bohemians v Waterford United, Fri July 1, Dalymount Park 7.45 pm
Bohemians will be hoping to bounce back after their Inter Toto Cup disappointment
against Ghent. Waterford have also been on the end of some bad results recently
including their latest 4-2 defeat by champions Shelbourne at the RSC grounds.
Neither side will want to give too much away so it looks a safe bet for
a draw.
Verdict: Draw
Drogheda United v Bray Wanderers, Fri July 1, United Park 7.45 pm
Drogheda enjoyed their first away win of the season at Richmond Park
against St. Patrick’s Athletic. Young striker Mark Leech scored twice in
the second-half as Drogheda moved to just a point off third place. Although
Eamon Zayed had been in good form it is difficult to see the newcomers getting
anything at United Park as they battle to stave off relegation.
Verdict: Home win
U.C.D. v Cork City, Fri July 1, Belfield Park 7.45 pm
Leaders Cork City will be determined to retain their five-point lead
at the top of the table. UCD came out on top in the battle of the promoted
sides as Bray Wanderers slipped perilously close towards the relegation
zone. Pat McWalter scored twice in the second half for the students at Belfield
Park against Bray. Damian Richardson’s side might have to settle for a draw
against the students.
Verdict: Draw
Longford Town v Shamrock Rovers, Sat July 2, Flancare Park 7.30 pm
Rock bottom Shamrock Rovers realistically have no chance of even a share
of the spoils against Longford Town despite holding Cork City scoreless
at Turners Cross last weekend. Shamrock Rovers were on the end of an embarrassing
4-1 home defeat at Dalymount Park by Finn Harps who would be bottom were
it not for Rovers’ eight-point deduction.
Verdict: Home win
Finn Harps v St. Patrick’s Athletic, Sat July 2, Finn Park 7.45 pm
Finn Harps got just the confidence booster their season required at Dalymount
Park last weekend as Paddy McGrenaghan and Stephen Capper got their names
on the Harps scoresheet.
However St. Patrick’s Athletic will not be so generous and after their
2-0 home defeat by Drogheda will be keen to get back on track. Also has
the makings of a draw.
Verdict: Draw
Eircom League Cup Quarter Finals Mon/Tues July 4/5
Cork City v Longford Town (holders), Turners Cross.
The holders will be under immense pressure to hold onto their crown at
Turners Cross. However the form side should prevail and the result of this
game looks like a home win for Damian Richard son’s team.
Verdict: Home win.
Derry City v Drogheda United, Brandywell
Derry City face Drogheda United in what looks like one of the most keenly
contested of the quarter-final ties. A goal either way could swing this
tie with home advantage favouring a victory for the Candy Stripes.
Verdict: Home win
UCD v Waterford United, Belfield Park.
UCD have an excellent chance of taking full advantage of the Blues woes.
Player manager Alan Reynolds and his management team have resigned after
an incident in Waterford’s last match against Finn Harps when Reynolds was
red-carded after the match. That followed an alleged altercation with Harps
striker Chris Breen. Reports during the week also revealed that the club
is in financial crisis while star player Daryl Murphy has departed for Sunderland.
Verdict: Home win.
Shelbourne v St Pat’s, Tolka Park
A Dublin Derby cup tie is always sure to provide plenty of spills and
thrills. The league champions must be slight favourites because of home
advantage but Derbys usually have a way of being great levellers and Shels
may even need a reply to progress to the semi-final.
Verdict: Draw.
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