Bohemians, boosted by that 5-1 thrashing of Waterford United at Dalymount Park on Friday night, take centre stage in the pick of this week's fixtures with that important UEFA Champions League first round, first leg qualifier away to Belarus side BATE Borisov on Wednesday (kick-off 3.00 pm - Irish time).
The eircom League champions were scheduled to fly out from Shannon to Minsk on Monday with manager Stephen Kenny relieved that skipper Kevin Hunt is available despite being stretchered off in the victory over Waterford with a foot injury.
Irish striker Glen Crowe, with a hat-trick against the Blues, will be hoping to add to his goal tally. But there are problems in defence with Derek Coughlan ruled out by injury and Colin Hawkins doubtful. The centre of defence could be any pairing between Ken Oman, Jason McGuinness and Paul McNally.
Derry City, with just two points from their travels this season, will be hoping for a first away win when they travel to Flancare Park on Tuesday night for the meeting with Longford Town. This match had to be posponed earlier in the season because of a water-logged pitch.
Shamrock Rovers, their European adventures over for the season, after that 2-0 Intertoto Cup second round, second leg defeat - (4-0 on aggregate) - by Czech Republic side Slovan Liberec on Sunday, get back to Premier Division action for the first time in a month when they take on Longford Town at Richmond Park on Friday.
Shelbourne, seven points clear at the top of the table, will be hot favourites to pick up another three points when they play host to bottom club UCD at Tolka Park the same evening. The other Premier Division games down for decision on Friday see Waterford United take on Cork City in the big Munster derby at the RSC while Drogheda United meet improving St.Patrick's Athletic at O2 Park.
The race for the eircom League First Division title is really hotting up with just two points separating the top four clubs - Dublin City (28 points), Finn Harps (27), Kildare County (27) and Bray Wanderers (26).
Pat Devlin's Bray side can go back to top place, at least temporarily, with victory over Galway United at he Carlisle Grounds on Friday night while on the same evening Athlone Town take on draw specialists Dundalk at St.Mels Park. Trevor Anderson's Dundalk have recorded no fewer than nine draws in 14 league games.
On Satuday, current leaders Dublin City are away to Cobh Ramblers, second placed Finn Harps away to Monaghan United and third-placed Kildare County away to Sligo Rovers. None of the trio can afford any slip-ups especially if Bray pick up three points on Friday. The other First Division game down for decision on Saturday is the meeting of bottom club Kilkenny City and Limerick at Buckley Park.
One interesting friendly game this week is the meeting of Derry City and Welsh side TNS at the Brandywell on Saturday evening. TNS will be away to Kevin Keegan's Manchester City in the UEFA Cup qualifying round on August 14 while on the same evening Derry will be away to Apoel Nicosia of Cyprus in the same competition.
Tuesday, July 15
eircom League Premier Division
Longford Town v Derry City, Flancare Park (7.45 pm).
Wednesday, July 16
UEFA Champions League first qualifying round. first leg
BATE Borisov v Bohemians, Borisov (3.00 pm).
Friday, July 18
eircom League Premier Division
Waterford United v Cork City, RSC (7.30 pm);
Shamrock Rovers v Longford Town, Richmond Park (7.45 pm);
Shelbourne v UCD, Tolka Park (7.45 pm);
Drogheda Utd. v St.Patrick's Athletic, O2 Park (8.00 pm).
eircom League First Division
Athlone Town v Dundalk, St.Mels Park (7.45 pm);
Bray Wanderers v Galway United, Carlisle Grounds (7.45 pm).
Saturday, July 19
eircom League First Division
Kilkenny City v Limerick, Buckley Park (7.30 pm);
Sligo Rovers v Kildare County, Showgrounds (7.30 pm);
Cobh Ramblers v Dublin City, St.Colman's Park (7.45 pm);
Monaghan United v Finn Harps, Century Homes Park (3.00 pm).
Friendly match
Derry City v TNS (Wales), Brandywell (7.30 pm).
