Europe's finished. Back to what matters this weekend. Here's what's in store for all discerning football fans this weekend in the SSE Airtricity League.
1) Can Cork City go top?
Tonight Cork City take their excellent winning run to Dalymount to play a Bohemians side who haven't won at home this season. A win for the Leesiders will see them go top and put pressure on current leaders Dundalk. The game is the middle of a 3 game run for Cork on Setanta Ireland and they'll probably need to play better than last week when they squeezed back 10 man UCD. Bohs have been improving in recent weeks and it will take a catastrophic drop for them to become embroiled in a relegation fight. Owen Heary will hope the TV cameras focus his young team and they have enough to challenge most teams on their day.
2) Can Dundalk recover from Thursday night heroics?
A brilliant effort from Dundalk last night saw them beat Hadjuk Split 2-1 in Croatia. It wasn't enough as missed chances in the first leg left meant the 2-0 gap for Split was enough. How they react to that result may define their season. They host Bray Wanderers on Sunday and there's sure to be a few tired Dundalk bodies. They'll surely be happy to see Bray come to who having have lost 8 of their last 9. A win for Cork and Dundalk will see them level as they play each other (in Cork) next Friday.
3) Can Rovers keep pace with the leaders?
Shamrock Rovers are 6 points behind the leaders but they'll know that both Cork and Dundalk have huge games coming up. They must win tonight at home to Drogheda United to keep the pressure on. Rovers have had trouble scoring goals at home (10 goals in 10 games) but after initially struggling last week in Bray. they ran out comfortable 3-0 winners. They should have too much for Drogheda tonight and that will leave them well placed to strike as we enter the final series of games.
4) Can Pats put a defence together to keep their league season alive?
The Champions had a bad night in the Champions League on Wednesday after collapsing in the second halg at home to Legia. Injuries didn't help their cause and they may be missing 5 or 6 defenders from their team when they travel to Athlone on Saturday night. Oman was injured in warm ups and O'Brien and Browne went off during the game. With McCormack and Hoare still not fit, it will be interesting to see how Liam Buckley shuffles his team. He'll know that anything but a win and their title defence is over.
5) What now for Derry City and Sligo Rovers.
Both clubs suffered European defeats last night with Sligo's being particularly agonising. Derry City have the FAI Cup to focus on and look set for a comfortable passage to the quarter finals after today's draw. During the week it was confirmed that Peter Hutton is to remain as Derry manager next season so after the Roddy debacle, at least Derry fans will have some hope as they travel to UCD. For Sligo, they're doomed for an end of season like they haven't experienced in a long, long time. No FAI Cup to look forward, no push for European qualification likely. For new Sligo manager John Coleman, it is about funding out who has a place in the squad for 2015. That starts on Sunday at home to Limerick
Whatever happens, enjoy the games!
