Tonight's "Action" - 10/11/06
Tonight's eircom League preview:
With the threats of replays, arbitration, financial problems and such going on off the pitch - it's good to get the focus back on the important bit of all - the stuff on the pitch.
Tonight sees a historic night in the League of Ireland for two clubs - and time to bid fond farewells to two old servants of the Senior game.
On the face of it the First Division match between Athlone Town and Monaghan Town seems to be inconsequential and having little bearing on anything important come the conclusion of the season.
However - this fixture will be last one to take place at St Mel's Park - one of the old stagers of football in the Republic - and the scene of one remarkable night in European football when AC Milan came to the Midlands and could only come away with a 0-0 draw in the European Cup. Indeed, Athlone were a penalty miss from creating a seismic result in UEFA Competitions.
Next season sees Athlone move to a brand new purpose built stadium - yet to be named.
As a thank you to the town - Athlone have decided that admission to tonight's game will be free of charge to all spectators - let's just hope that it's a game fitting to signing off the old ground.
Meanwhile - in Dublin - we say another farewell - tonight sees what in all likelihood will be the last fixture to be played at Belfield Park - Longford Town the visitors to the Campus. It also means that UCD become the first club to finish their League season - as they were due to face now defunct Dublin City next Friday night.
Tonight's live TV coverage comes to us courtesy of RTÉ Two and http://www.rte.ie/sport at Turner's Cross - where debt riddled Cork City play debt riddled Shelbourne. Should be an extra edge to the atmosphere tonight as a result of Ollie Byrne dragging the League through the mud again with threats of Legal Action, Injunctions and whatever other underhand tricks he wants to employ to have the League title and it's related prize money handed to him on a silver plate.
However, it could all be decided tonight. If Shelbourne beat Cork and Derry City fail to beat St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park tonight - then Shelbourne will be crowned Champions of the 2006 FAIrcical Premier Division (in association with Oliver J Byrne Appeals Ltd.) - the Pat's - Derry game is also a dress rehersal for the Cup Final at the start of December - which will be the last soccer match to take place at the old Lansdowne Road stadium.
Elsewhere - Shamrock Rovers take on Finn Harps in the First Division - a win for Rovers will virtually seal the title for the (not quite this season due to strange kit designers) Hoops.
And finally - as if anyone really cares, 11 unfit blokes who can't really be bothered will turn up to play a game of something resembling football against Bray Wanderers at Dalymount Park.
Tonight's Fixtures:
eircom League Premier Division
(In association with National League Appeals Helpline - "No Title - Another Injunction")
Cork City vs Shelbourne
(Turner's Cross - 7:30 pm)
Referee : Ian Stokes
Live on RTE TV and rte.ie
St. Patricks Athletic vs Derry City
(Richmond Park - 7:45 pm)
Referee : Alan Kelly
UCD vs Longford Town
(Belfield Park - 7:45 pm)
Referee : Derek Tomney
Pub League XI vs Bray Wanderers
(Dalymount Park - 7:45 pm)
Referee : Anthony Buttimer
eircom League First Division
(In association with Rent-a-Crowd)
Shamrock Rovers vs Finn Harps
(Tolka Park - 8:00 pm)
Referee : Tom Connolly
Athlone Town vs Monaghan United
(St. Mel's Park - 7:45 pm)
Referee : Mark Gough
