We've only 3 weekends left. It could be over real soon. Here's what you should look out for in week 28 of the SSE Airtricity League.
1) Will Dundalk take maximum points from their 2 games?
Dundalk have been top for two-thirds of the season now but remarkably only lead Cork City by goal difference. They've played one game less but that won't be the case by Monday evening. Tonight they travel to bottom side Athlone knowing anything other than a win in a disaster. On Monday they face a Shamrock Rovers side that has a win and a draw from its 2 previous games in Oriel Park this season. If Dundalk win both they'll have a 3 point lead going into the final 2 games. The Dundalk v Shamrock Rovers game is live on RTE 2 on Monday with a 7.05pm kick off.
2) Will Cork keep up the pressure?
Although the final game of the season sees Cork travel to Dundalk, their vastly inferior goal difference means that even if Cork City win their final 3 games of the campaign, they're not guaranteed to win the title. They know they've very little chance of winning that title if they can't beat UCD in Dublin this evening. All Cork can do is beat UCD, beat Bohs and home and hope Dundalk drop points elsewhere.
3) Can Christy Fagan reach 20 goals?
It's over 50 years since a St Pats player scored 20 goals in a league campaign but Christy Fagan currently leads the league on 18. His St Pats team have three games left and start tonight in Drogheda having scored 10 against them in the last 2 games between the sides. Drogs have certainly improved under Damian Richardson but with a cup final on the way, Saints fans are hoping Fagan can reach that 20 goal mark soon.
4) What next for Shamrock Rovers?
It has been a bad few weeks for Shamrock Rovers fans. Losing the EA Sports Cup final was followed by draws with local rivals Pats and Bohs and on Tuesday they lost 2-0 to Derry City in the FAI Ford Cup semi final replay. It leaves the Hoops trophyless for the first season since 2009 and in 4th place in the league. They trail Pats in 3rd by 7 points, albeit with a game in hand (that big game in Dundalk on Monday). If they're to get into Europe, they more than likely need Pats to win the Cup. So how will Pat Fenlon approach the final three games? Will he leave out players he knows are heading elsewhere at seasons end? His team selections may give an indication of the players he wants in Tallaght next season.
5) It's a straight fight between UCD and Athlone.
The bottom 2 sides are seperated by a point with UCD just shading Athlone Town. Tonight they both play host to the top 2 with Cork in Belfield and Dundalk in Athlone. Bray are 5 points ahead of UCD and look safe again. Next week sees both sides travel to face the FAI Cup finalists so it may all boil down to the final game of the season. On that day, Athlone host Bray and UCD host Drogheda. Athlone also have the better goal difference.
Whatever happens, enjoy the games!
