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Relegation matters take centre stage
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Relegation matters take centre stage
September 25, 2009
With none of the top three in the Premier Division in League action on Friday night, attention reverts to the other end of the table where the bottom two go head-to-head at the Carlisle Grounds.
Bray Wanderers currently fill the automatic relegation spot but they are behind Drogheda United by just a single point and will jump off the bottom with victory this evening.
Seagulls manager Eddie Gormley is without Gary McCabe and Paul Byrne through suspension and injury respectively, while defender Derek Foran is a doubt with the groin injury which kept him out of last week’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers.
Drogheda manager Alan Mathews is without banned midfielder Paul Shiels while forward Shane Barrett will play no further part this season after deciding to take a break from the game.
Otherwise the Drogs boss has a full squad to choose from, with Alan McNally, Robbie Clarke, James Chambers and William Woods all back from suspension.
Mathews said: “It is an important game this Friday night, yes we did win in the Carlisle grounds earlier in the season but we have to remember Bray beat us in Drogheda already. It’s good to have a full squad to select from, the return of Alan McNally and James Chambers is obviously a big boost to us.
“The game on Friday night will be under different circumstances than when we previously faced the side, but as always we will just go out to complete our job. That is all we can do.”
Bray Wanderers v Drogheda United, Carlisle Grounds, 7.45pm
Dundalk manager Sean Connor is boosted by the return of three key players from suspension for the viist of Galway United to Oriel Park.
Defender Liam Burns, midfielder Michael Daly and striker Darren Mansaram are all available after serving bans but Mickey Collins is ruled out tonight following his red card against Bohemians last weekend.
Galway boss Ian Foster, meanwhile, is without centre half Shane Guthrie (suspension) but Cian McBride, Dave Cooke, Jason Molloy and Sean Kelly are all back in the squad after bans of their own. Winger Iarfhlaith Davoren could miss the rest of the season with a hamstring injury.
Dundalk v Galway United, Oriel Park, 7.45pm
Pete Mahon takes charge of St Patrick’s Athletic for the first time as Cork City visit Richmond Park.
Mahon, appointed as Jeff Kenna’s successor until the end of the season earlier this week, watched from the stands as his new charges came from behind to take a Setanta Sports Cup point against Derry City on Tuesday.
Defender Dave Partridge, midfielder Garrett O’Connor and forward Andy Haran are all still out for Saints while captain Jamie Harris is a fitness doubt.
Cork, meanwhile, have doubts over several players, with captain Dan Murray and experience trio Greg O’Halloran, Stephen O’Donnell and Neal Horgan all facing late fitness test.
St Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City, Richmond Park, 7.45pm
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Drogheda Utd
v
Bray Wanderers
United Park, 7.45pm, Feb 28.
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2009 Premier Division - 8/11/2009 |
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P |
W |
D |
L |
F |
A |
GD |
Pts |
| 1. Bohemians | 36 | 24 | 5 | 7 | 62 | 21 | 41 | 77 |
2. Shamrock Rovers | 36 | 21 | 10 | 5 | 51 | 27 | 24 | 73 |
| 3. Cork City | 36 | 17 | 9 | 10 | 42 | 28 | 14 | 60 |
4. Dundalk | 36 | 12 | 8 | 16 | 46 | 51 | -5 | 44 |
| 5. Sligo Rovers | 36 | 11 | 10 | 15 | 41 | 51 | -10 | 43 |
6. St Patrick's Ath | 36 | 13 | 4 | 19 | 29 | 46 | -17 | 43 |
| 7. Galway Utd | 36 | 12 | 6 | 18 | 36 | 57 | -21 | 42 |
8. Drogheda Utd | 36 | 7 | 11 | 18 | 32 | 50 | -18 | 32 |
| 9. Bray Wanderers | 36 | 6 | 10 | 20 | 30 | 56 | -26 | 28 |
10. Derry City | 36 | 18 | 5 | 13 | 49 | 31 | 18 | 59* |
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* - Derry stripped of League of Ireland status following breach of contract regulations |
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