Tonight's match - O'Flynn out

From eleven-a-side:

Dermot Keely’s Kildare County can go top of the eircom League First Division at least on a temporary basis when they travel to Shannonside to meet Limerick FC at the Pike Rovers Sports Ground tonight (7.30pm).

While Finn Harps have been blazing the trail, Kildare have been quietly keeping pace with the Donegal side, and remain just two points behind the leaders going into this week’s round of games.

Harps make the long journey south to Cobh Ramblers over the weekend, so Kildare can claim top spot with a win tonight.

Keely could go with the same starting XI that clawed out a victory over Monaghan United a week ago with two late goals.

Limerick recovered well after a slow start, but the wheels on the wagon have loosened a bit in recent weeks, and they slipped to a dreadful 3-1 defeat to previously winless Dundalk at Oriel Park a week ago.

To add to Limerick’s woes, their scorer on that occasion, and their top scorer last season, Stephen O’Flynn, must sit out this game through suspension.

Kieron Foley could start up front in O’Flynn’s stead while Pat Purcell is available again, but young starlet James Sugrue is unavailable because of exams.

However, they remain in a comfortable sixth place, and a win tonight would see them close the gap on Dublin City - who fill the final play-off place in fourth - to just two points.