1. Can Brennan keep performing for Pat’s?
St Pat’s surge to the top of the table has coincided with a brilliant few weeks for Killian Brennan who has four goals in his last five league games and was yesterday named Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month award for May.
It is the first time in five years that Brennan has picked up one of the monthly gongs and a timely reminder that he when he is on form, he is one of the most talented attacking threats in the Premier Division. The problem is that he has been notoriously unpredictable over the last few years, as likely to fade into anonymity is he is to change a game with a flash of brilliance.
If Brennan can keep it up, Pat’s will rightly fancy their chances to score goals against any team. Tonight’s opponents Dundalk have one of the league’s meanest defences, though their record away from home (four conceded) is considerably better than at Oriel Park (13 conceded).
2. Who can end Sligo’s drought?
Sligo Rovers have gone over 380 minutes without a goal in the league, a drought which seemed practically unthinkable in the early part of the season when Anthony Elding exploded on to the scene and was scoring goals for fun.
Elding is suspended for the visit of UCD tomorrow, serving the second game of a four-match ban, and Sligo desperately need someone to step up and stop the rot. They have taken just eight points from the last 24 and, if there is any saving grace, it is the win against Derry last month which mitigated some of the damage done to their title defence.
But where will the goals come from? Aaron Greene is not the most prolific and so the Bit O’Red might find themselves looking to youngster Liam Martin who made his first start in last week’s 0-0 draw against Bohs.
3. Will Derry keep up the pressure?
With Jason Byrne filling his boots at every possible opportunity, now is not a good time to be heading to Bray. The Seagulls have won four of their last five in the league, a run which has seen them power away from the danger zone and towards mid-table respectability.
It’s Derry’s turn to make the long trip south and if the sides’ relative form is taken as gospel, they could be in for another tough night. Declan Devine’s side have not been very convincing in recent weeks but they are still picking up points, ugly as some of their wins have been. Before heading in to the summer break, they need to win by any means possible tonight; there will be plenty of time to address the problems afterwards.
4. Dire straits in Dublin derby
Bohemians are winless in seven in the league; Shelbourne haven’t won in five. Derbies between the two northside neighbours usually have a bit of an edge and with points at a premium, the stakes are even higher tonight.
Despite their poor run Bohs haven’t been sucked into trouble just yet, though they are lingering precariously close and only goal difference separates them and second-from-bottom UCD. A Shelbourne win tonight would change that though, moving Johnny McDonnell’s men to within five points and tightening up the danger zone.
5. Can Athlone peg back Longford?
Division One leaders Longford hit the headlines for all the wrong reasons this week when Colm James was handed an 18-month ban for betting offences. If the controversy has proved to be a little bit distracting, Roddy Collins and Athlone Town may be the ones to profit this evening.
Longford have already beaten their Midlands rivals twice this season — in the league and in the EA Sports Cup — and another victory tonight would open up a 12-point gap between the sides.
Airtricity League fixtures (all kick-offs 7.45pm Friday unless stated)
Premier Division:
- Bohemians v Shelbourne
- Bray Wanderers v Derry City
- Cork City v Drogheda United
- Dundalk v St. Patrick’s Athletic
- Shamrock Rovers v Limerick (Friday, 8pm)
- Sligo Rovers v UCD (Saturday, 7.45pm)
First Division:
- Athlone Town v Longford Town
- Salthill Devon v Finn Harps
- Wexford Youths v Mervue United (Friday, 8pm)
- Cobh Ramblers v Waterford United (Saturday, 7.45 pm)
