Bohemians will be hoping to bounce back from last Friday's defeat in Bray Wanderers when they take on Drogheda United in the Airtricity Premier League at Dalymount Park on Friday night.

The omens don’t look good for United on their trip to Athlone as they haven’t managed to overcome Mick Kerley’s men since they joined the league in 2009.

UCD welcome Shelbourne to the Belfield Bowl on Friday night hoping to turn a run of draws into a more positive result against Alan Mathews' fifth placed side.

St Patrick’s Athletic will be hoping to extend their unbeaten run in the league to eleven games when they take on Cork City at Richmond Park on Friday night.

Dundalk and Bray Wanderers do battle at Oriel Park on Friday night to conclude the opening round of league fixtures.   (Kick off 7.45 pm)

 

Avondale and Cherry Orchard for Cup Showdown

Every significant Cup has it’s ‘specialists’ and the FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup is no different. Avondale Utd. from Cork are featuring in their third final in a row, a remarkable achievement considering the quality that exists in the competition. Avondale’s rivals for the title of cup specialists are Cherry Orchard, their opponents on Sunday.

“There are going to be teams with a lot of possession. As long as they have the ball and they aren’t scoring, then you are ok. If they have the ball and are scoring goals left, right and centre, then you are worried.”

French coach Laurent Blanc has begun his bizarre squad selection by naming just twelve foreign-based French players.

Irish golf is in rude health with four current Irish players with Major wins on their CVs and an Irishman top of the World Rankings.

“Pinch me I’m dreaming!” So wrote Eamonn Dunphy in a newspaper column upon hearing the news that Giovanni Trapattoni had, after a protracted selection process, been appointed Republic of Ireland manager.