Our pick of the weekend's storylines
1) Will Sligo Rovers maintain their 100% record against Limerick?
3 games for the Champions, 3 wins for the Champions. New signing Anthony Elding has scored in each of them. Sligo only conceded their first of the season in the 67th minute of their 3rd game in Dundalk. All without Danny Ventre and Danny North and only one appearance from Joey Ndo. That's just about the perfect start. They host a Limerick side unbeaten so far and fresh off their first Premier Division win in 19 years. There's been no lack of entertainment in Limerick's games so far so if they can put it up to Sligo tonight we could see a cracker
2) How will the Tolka Park pitch hold up for the TV game between Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers?
Tolka Park is named after the river, that should be the first clue that it hasn't always held up well to rain. Indications are though that it's avoided the worst of this week's rain in Dublin and the game should be OK tomorrow. Shels have lost both their opening games with a man sent off in each game. They can't afford to be indisciplined against a Rovers team that punished Pats so clinically for mistakes last week. Apart from those goals against Pats though, Rovers have struggled to create chances and have had scoreless draws in their other two games. That spell of clean sheets might be under pressure as Rovers will be without both starting centre halves as Foran (suspended) and McGuinness (hamstring) miss out. The game kicks off at 3.55pm on Sunday and it's live on RTE 2.
3) Will Drogheda's David Cassidy recover from this vicious attack to help them get their first win?
Cassidy and his Drogheda teammates can't be happy with only 2 points so far this season. It could have worse though as they score lated equalisers against 9 man Limerick and Derry in their last two games. They face a Bray Wanderers side who can be fairly content with how their season has started. A win at home to Shelbourne was followed by a good performance in Sligo and they'll feel that if they can get a postive result tomorrow, they'll be set up to have a good season.
4) What will win out between Cork City's home form and Derry City's away form?
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Last season Derry won more points away than at home in the Brandywell. Their only away game this season saw then hammer UCD 6-0 (including 2 crackers in the MNS 'Take 4' clip above. Traditionally Cork City have prided themselves on an excellent home record. After going behind to Bohs last week, they stormed back and took a deserved win. With the division's longest trip facing Derry for a Sunday afternoon kick off, Cork will be looking to pick up all 3 points again.
5) Will UCD Dundalk survive the weather?
With Pats/Bohs already called off and midweek postponements in Tallaght and Bray, the odds on UCD v Dundalk going ahead must be slim. If it does go ahead, UCD are likely to struggle defensively again. They've conceded 11 goals in their 3 defeats so far. Dundalk had a good win against Shels last week, and a win in Belfield would given them a great base for the season.
Whatever happens, enjoy the games!
