fai.ie
Entering the final furlong - 02 December 2002
With both the Premier Division and First Division title races very much in the home straight, this week's fixture list throws up several attractive pairings as the eircom League clubs bid for glory before the season is completed on January 29 next.
Pick of the Premier Division games will be the clash of relegation-threatened Bray Wanderers and runaway leaders Bohemians at the Carlisle Grounds on Sunday afternoon. Bray gave themseves real hope of
avoiding the drop with only their third victory of the season when overcoming Longford Town 2-0 last week.
Shamrock Rovers, hoping to extend their unbeaten run to ten games will be hoping to pick up three more valuable points when they clash with struggling UCD at Richmond Park on Friday night. But nothing can be taken for granted as proved when Paul Doolin's young College side held Bohemians to a 1-1 draw at Dalymount Park last week
Shelbourne will be hoping to consolidate their claim for a place in Europe next season with an attractive Dublin derby game against old rivals St.Patrick's Athletic at Tolka Park on Friday night. Drogheda United,
surprise 3-1 victors over FAI Carlsberg Cup winners Derry City at O2 Park last week, will be hoping to climb further away from the relegation zone when they meet Longford Town at Flancare Park on Saturday.
Cork City, still very much in the hunt for a European place, will be out for a measure of revenge when they clash with Derry City at Turners Cross at noon on Sunday. It was of course Keven Mahon's men who triumphed 1-0 when the two sides met at the same venue in the FAI Cup semi-final two months ago.
First Division leaders Waterford United will be hoping to get back on the winning track after that 5-1 hammering by Dublin City last Saturday - their first league defeat of the season - when they entertain bottom club Kilkenny City at the RSC on Thursday while Dundalk can stay in the promotion chase the same evening they meet Sligo Rovers at Oriel Park.
There are three First Division fixtures down for decision on Saturday with second placed Cobh Ramblers travelling to meet improving Kildare County at Station Road; promotion chasing Finn Harps at home to
Athlone Town and Galway United hosting Dublin City at Terryland Park. The remaining First Division fixture is the meeting of Monaghan United and Limerick at Century Homes Park on Sunday.
Thursday December 5.
eircom First Division
Dundalk v Sligo Rovers, Oriel Park (7:45)
Waterford United v Kilkenny City, RSC (7:30).
Friday December 6.
eircom Premier Division
Shamrock Rovers v UCD, Richmond Park (7:45)
Shelbourne v St Patrick's Athletic, Tolka Park (7:45).
Saturday December 7.
eircom Premier Division
Longford Town v Drogheda United, Flancare Park (7:30).
eircom First Division
Finn Harps v Athlone Town, Finn Park (7:30)
Galway United v Dublin City, Terryland Park (7:00)
Kildare County v Cobh Ramblers, Station Road (7:45).
Sunday December 8.
eircom Premier Division
Cork City v Derry City, Turner's Cross (12:00 noon)
Bray Wanderers v Bohemians , Carlisle Grounds (3:30).
eircom First Division
Monaghan United v Limerick, Century Homes Park (3:00 pm).
