A cup final, a top of the table(-ish) clash and loads of other goodies this week involving clubs from the SSE Airtricity League. Here's the 5 most interesting things to look out for;
1) Who'll win the Setanta Sports Cup?
The Setanta Sports Cup has lost a bit of it's lustre in recent years but tomorrow's final between Sligo Rovers and Dundalk gives both clubs a chance to win the competition for the first time. Sligo have won everything else in recent times (including at least one major trophy in each of the past 4 seasons) but this is their first Setanta Cup final (they lost in the semi-finals 4 consecutive years). Dundalk will see winning this trophy as another important step on their recovery as a club. From relegation play offs in 2012 to league runners up last season was a huge step and they're the best side in the league not to win something over the past couple of years. Both sides like to play quick, attacking football and the game should be a cracker. Kick off is 4pm on Saturday and it's live on Setanta Sports Ireland.
2) Will Pats or Cork be top tonight?
With Dundalk not in action, the battle of 2nd v 3rd in Richmond Park will see the winner go top of the league. The sides played out a one-one draw at the start of the season which saw Cork complain about card-happy referee Padraigh Sutton sending off their captain John Dunleavy. Sutton has reffed both teams once since. He sent off Darren Dennehy for Cork (v UCD) and Greg Bolger and Killian Brennan for Pats (v Dundalk). When he reffed this tie last season he sent off Kalen Spillane for Cork and awarded an injury time penalty to Pats to set up a late, late winner. Cork are looking to bounce back from last week's thrashing away to Dundalk while Pats are looking for their 4th straight win at home. Let's hope the game isn't decided by the officials
3) Can Rovers get back to winning ways?
Only a 96th minute equaliser last week in Tallaght stopped Shamrock Rovers dropping to a shock defeat at home to Limerick. They lacked creativity in midfield last week without Stephen McPhail and Ronan Finn but both aare expected to return tonight. They'll need all they can to breakdown Roddy Collin's Derry City. They mightn't be the most exciting team to watch but they're looking pretty solid at the back. A draw in Inchicore and a Rovers win will see them go top of the table.
4) Any team going to put a gap between them and the bottom 2?
With Athlone struggling, the battle to avoid that relegation play off is pretty tight. 2 points cover the 6 teams from 6th to 11th position and 4 of them play each other tonight. Bray Wanderers have looked the best of these sides early on and they host Limerick hoping to widen that gap to 5 points. Bohs host UCD looking for only their 3rd home win in the league in the last 12 months. They'll have been buoyed by beating St Pats in the League Cup during the week.
5) How many points will Shels lead the First Division by this weekend?
Troubled Waterford United host Shelbourne tonight and it remains to be seen how focussed they are on beating the league leaders. A win for the Blues may bring them back into play off contention but Shels will be looking to extend their lead. 2nd place Wexford Youths travel to the disappointing pre-season favourites Longford Town with a 5 point gap between the sides. A win for Wexford could see the end of Tony Cousins' reign in Longford.
Whatever happens, enjoy the games!
