There were 17 yellows and one red card handed out to Irish players in the UK over the weekend – while James McClean was back among the goals for Sunderland.

IN THE GOALS
James McClean (SUNDERLAND 2-2 Bolton)
Adam Rooney (BIRMINGHAM 2-0 Reading)
Andy Keogh (MILLWALL 2-2 Blackpool)
Jay O’Shea (Rochdale 1-2 MK DONS)
Keith Treacy (Brentford 1-2 SHEFFIELD WED)
Ben Burgess (CHELTENHAM 3-1 Bradford)
James Collins (SHREWSBURY 1-0 Dag & Redbridge)
Willo Flood (DUNDEE UNITED 2-2 Hearts)

Double Trouble…
Alan Judge (Wycombe 3-4 NOTTS COUNTY)

BLANKETY BLANK
Shay Given (West Brom 0-0 ASTON VILLA)
Richard Dunne (West Brom 0-0 ASTON VILLA)
Ciaran Clark (West Brom 0-0 ASTON VILLA)
Colin Doyle (BIRMINGHAM 2-0 Reading)
Greg Cunningham (NOTTM FOREST 2-0 Portsmouth)
Kane Ferdinand (Oxford 0-2 SOUTHEND)
David van Zanten (ST MIRREN 1-0 Hibernian)

IN THE WARS
Not so Mellow Yellow…
Darron Gibson (EVERTON 4-0 Fulham)
Stephen Ward (Swansea 4-4 WOLVES)
James McCarthy (WIGAN 4-0 Newcastle)
Stephen Dawson (BARNSLEY 0-0 Brighton)
Gary Dicker (Barnsley 0-0 BRIGHTON)
Owen Garvan (CRYSTAL PALACE 1-2 Cardiff)
Sean St Ledger (Leeds 1-2 LEICESTER)
Jonathan Douglas (BRENTFORD 1-2 Sheffield Wed)
James Ryan (SCUNTHORPE 1-1 Bournemouth)
Cliff Byrne (SCUNTHORPE 1-1 Bournemouth)
Alan Judge (Wycombe 3-4 NOTTS COUNTY)
Alan McCormack (SWINDON 5-0 Port Vale)
Eunan O’Kane (TORQUAY 1-1 Crewe)
Jim Goodwin (ST MIRREN 1-0 Hibernian)
Jonathan Hayes (Kilmarnock 4-3 INVERNESS)
Aaron Doran (Kilmarnock 4-3 INVERNESS)
Alan Maybury (Motherwell 5-1 ST JOHNSTONE)

Raging Red…
Jonathan Hayes (Kilmarnock 4-3 INVERNESS)

TIPS
It’s the battle of Manchester this evening with the stakes higher than ever before.
In their last nine league games, United have won five to City’s three – although Roberto Mancini’s men stuffed their neighbours 6-1 in the most recent Premier League encounter.
There are usually plenty of goals in this derby with only one of the last nine meetings ending in a scoreless draw.
However with so much at stake tonight nerves could well play a huge part in the action – with either a scoreless draw or a 1-0 win either way a very likely outcome.
The bulk of my money is on 0-0 (12/1), with some covering bets on 1-0 City (9/1) and 1-0 United (12/1).

Category: Soccer

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Airtricity League Previews
Table-toppers Sligo Rovers welcome St Patrick’s Athletic to the Showgrounds, while Shamrock Rovers and Derry City meet for the third time in less than two weeks. For stats, form-guides and tips (and a wildly optimistic 260/1 accumulator), read on...

Sligo Rovers v St Patrick’s Athletic (7.05pm)
Stat Attack: The Premier Division’s two best defensive records are on the line in tonight’s televised clash – but don’t expect a dour goal-shy encounter.
Sligo have conceded four in eight games while Pat’s have managed to go one better, letting just three past their miserly back-line.
Both defences will be put to the test tonight with the two high-flying sides boasting some of the most exciting attacking players in the league.

Position (points): 1st (20) / 4th (16)
Form: WWWDW / DDWDW
Scorers: Danny North 7 / Christy Fagan 4
Banker: Draw (9/4)
Bluffer: Danny North to score first (7/2)

Dundalk v Bohemians (7.45pm)
Stat Attack: Dundalk became the first visiting team to win in the Premier Division at the Brandywell this season when they claimed a 2-1 win last weekend.
Their former Bohemians defender Liam Burns is missing with an ankle injury tonight, while Gypsies winger Karl Moore is recovering from a dislocated shoulder.
Both these sides have managed just four goals each in eight league games this season.

Position (points): 7th (9) / 9th (7)
Form: WLDLW / DLWWL
Scorers: Shane O’Neill 2 / Dinny Corcoran 2
Banker: Draw (21/10)
Bluffer: 0-0 (6/1)

UCD v Drogheda United (7.45pm)
Stat Attack: With four ever-presents this season, Drogheda are just one off St Patrick’s Athletic.
Gabriel Sava, Derek Prendergast, Alan McNally and Shane Grimes have played every single minute of Premier Division action this season.
They have some way to go to match UCD midfielder Paul Corry’s feat last year of being an ever-present throughout the league campaign.

Position (points): 8th (7) / 3rd (17)
Form: LWDLL / WWWDW
Scorers: Graham Rusk 4 / Brian Gannon 3
Banker: Drogheda United (evens)
Bluffer: Peter Hynes last goalscorer (11/2)

Monaghan United v Bray Wanderers (8pm)
Stat Attack: Monaghan United are the only Premier Division side with no ever-presents this season – following Chris Bennion’s red card last weekend against Bohemians and Stephen Maher’s late substitution.

Position (points): 12th (5) / 11th (5)
Form: LLLLW / LDLLD
Scorers: Conor Murphy 2 / Jason Byrne 4
Banker: Monaghan United (6/4)
Bluffer: 2-1 (8/1)

Shamrock Rovers v Derry City (8pm)
Stat Attack: Shamrock Rovers striker Ciaran Kilduff faces another operation on his foot – meaning he won’t be available for first-team action until the middle of the season.
This is the third meeting inside two weeks between Rovers and Derry City – with the Candystripes winning 3-2 on aggregate in their Setanta Sports Cup semi-final.

Position (points): 2nd (17) / 6th (11)
Form: WWLWD / WLDDL
Scorers: Gary Twigg 9 / McLaughlin, Patterson, McDaid 2
Banker: Shamrock Rovers (8/13)
Bluffer: Rovers -1 (11/5)

Shelbourne v Cork City (8pm)
Stat Attack: Shelbourne are hoping to return to winning ways having picked up just one victory in their last five league games.
Cork City lost narrowly to Sligo Rovers last weekend – seven days after they registered their first win of the campaign with a 6-0 thumping of Monaghan United.

Position (points): 5th (12) / 10th (5)
Form: LDDWL / LDLWL
Scorers: Philip Hughes 5 / Davin O’Neill 3
Banker: Draw (11/5)
Bluffer: 1-1 (5/1)
Accumulator (Draw, Draw, Drogheda, Monaghan, Rovers, Draw): 260/1

Category: Soccer

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Category: Soccer

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For more tips, stats and a 98/1 accumulator, read on…

Bohemians v Monaghan United
Stat Attack:
BOHS have used 25 players in the Premier Division this season – more than any other club. Of those 25, only Owen Heary and Evan McMillan have been ever-present.
MONAGHAN are the only top-flight side yet to register a league win – picking up just two points from their first seven games.

Position (points): 8th (7) / 12th (2)
Form: LDLWW / DLLLL
Scorers: Dinny Corcoran 2 / Conor Murphy 2

Banker: Draw (12/5)
Bluffer: 0-0 (7/1)

Bray Wanderers v Shamrock Rovers
Stat Attack:
Veteran striker Jason Byrne has been in fine goalscoring form for BRAY – netting four goals in seven league starts.
But his feats have been overshadowed by those of Gary Twigg, with the ROVERS hitman netting eight in the Premier Division to date – including a hat-trick last weekend against Dundalk.

Position (points): 11th (4) / 2nd (16)
Form: WLDLL / DWWLW
Scorers: Jason Byrne 4 / Gary Twigg 8

Banker: Rovers (2/5)
Bluffer: Rovers to come from behind and win (8/1)

Derry City v Dundalk

Stat Attack:
DERRY defender Simon Madden has been ever-present so far but is just one booking away from ending that run and picking up a suspension.
DUNDALK skipper Chris Shields is in a similar position – as he has picked up yellow cards in each of his last three appearances.

Position (points): 6th (11) / 9th (6)
Form: LWLDD / DWLDL
Scorers: McLaughlin, Patterson, McDaid 2 / O’Neill, Shields 1

Banker: Derry (2/5)
Bluffer: Derry -2 (7/2)

Cork City v Sligo Rovers

Stat Attack:
Davin O’Neill’s hat-trick last weekend, his first goals of the season, helped CORK to their first win of the season and it fired him to the top of the club’s scoring charts.
But they will have to be at their defensive best to stop SLIGO’S Danny North, who has netted five goals in his last four league appearances.

Position (points): 10th (5) / 1st (17)
Form: DLDLW / WWWWD
Scorers: Davin O’Neill 3 / Danny North 6

Banker: Draw (23/10)
Bluffer: 1-1 (11/2)

Drogheda United v Shelbourne

Stat Attack:
DROGHEDA are scoring from all over the park this season – with seven players (eight including an own goal by Cork’s Gavin Kavanagh) netting their eleven goals.
Philly Hughes returned to scoring form for SHELS when he netted his fourth of the season in last weekend’s win over Bray – ending a 320-minute drought.

Position (points): 3rd (14) / 5th (12)
Form: DWWWD / WLDDW
Scorers: O’Brien, Marshall, Gannon 2 / Philly Hughes 4

Banker: Draw (11/5)
Bluffer: Philly Hughes to score first (4/1)

St Patrick’s Athletic v UCD

Stat Attack:
Having conceded just three goals in seven games, ST PAT’S have the meanest defence around – and the most settled, with Brendan Clarke, Ger O’Brien, Kenny Browne, Conor Kenna and Ian Bermingham all ever-present this season.
UCD will be hoping in-form striker Graham Rusk can dent that defensive record by adding to his four goals to date.

Position (points): 4th (13) / 7th (7)
Form: DDDWD / LLWDL
Scorers: Christy Fagan 3 / Graham Rusk 4

Banker: St Pat’s (2/5)
Bluffer: St Pat’s -2 (7/2)

Accumulator (Draw, Rovers, Derry, Draw, Draw, Pat’s): 98/1

Category: Soccer

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Reading’s Irish aces Noel Hunt, Ian Harte and manager Brian McDermott look Premier League bound, while Keith Fahey’s Birmingham City are inching closer to securing a play-off spot.
Unfortunately there will be no Irish interest in this season’s FA Cup final – with Seamus Coleman and Darron Gibson’s Everton bowing out to Liverpool at the weekend.
For a review of the Irish headline makers and tips for this week’s Setanta Sports Cup, Champions League and Europa League semi-final first legs, read on…

IN THE GOALS
Liam Lawrence (Barnsley 0-1 CARDIFF)
Andy Keogh (MILLWALL 2-1 Leicester)
Shaun Williams (Scunthorpe 0-3 MK DONS)
Michael Doyle (SHEFF UNITED 3-1 Leyton Orient)
Ben Burgess (CHELTENHAM 4-1 Accrington Stanley)

Own Goal
Gary Dicker (West Ham 6-0 BRIGHTON)

BLANKETY BLANK
Greg Cunningham (NOTTM FOREST 0-0 Blackpool)
Alan Sheehan (Brentford 0-0 NOTTS COUNTY)
Barry Roche (MORECAMBE 0-0 Port Vale)
Kane Ferdinand (Torquay 0-0 SOUTHEND)

IN THE WARS
Not so mellow yellow…
Seamus Coleman (Liverpool 2-1 EVERTON)
Liam Lawrence (Barnsley 0-1 CARDIFF)
Joe Murphy (Burnley 1-1 COVENTRY)
Damien Delaney (Crystal Palace 1-1 IPSWICH)
Gary Dicker (West Ham 6-0 BRIGHTON)
James Ryan (SCUNTHORPE 0-3 MK Dons)
Shaun Williams (Scunthorpe 0-3 MK DONS)
Gary Doherty (WYCOMBE 2-2 Oldham)
Scott Davies (CRAWLEY 1-1 Wimbledon)

TIPS
Monday treble…
Shamrock Rovers (4/7) to beat Derry City, Sligo Rovers (4/6) to win away to Crusaders & Arsenal (2/7) to win against Wigan – 3/1

Champions League double…
Draws in both semi-final, first legs between Bayern/Real (23/10) and Chelsea/Barca (3/1) – 13/1

Europa League semis…
Atletico Madrid (11/10) to beat Valencia & draw between Sporting Lisbon/Athletic Bilbao (23/10) – 6/1

Category: Soccer

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Reading’s Irish stars can take another massive step towards Premier League promotion tonight when they travel to Brighton – another side with top-flight ambitions.
Victory would move the Royals level on points with Southampton, while a win for Brighton would move them into the play-off zone.
For tips on tonight’s action and a look back at a bumper weekend for Irish players in the UK, read on…

IN THE GOALS
Anthony Pilkington (Tottenham 1-2 NORWICH)
Andy Keogh (MILLWALL 2-0 Hull)
Joe Mason (Middlesbrough 0-2 CARDIFF)
Keith Fahey (BIRMINGHAM 3-1 Crystal Palace)
Owen Garvan (Birmingham 3-1 CRYSTAL PALACE)
Darren Potter (Preston 1-1 MK DONS)
Stephen Gleeson (MK DONS 3-0 Tranmere)
Padraig Amond (ACCRINGTON 2-1 Hereford)
Jon Daly (Aberdeen 3-1 DUNDEE UNITED)

Double Trouble…
Shaun Williams (MK DONS 3-0 Tranmere)
James Collins (Macclesfield 1-3 SHREWSBURY)

BLANKETY BLANK
Stephen Kelly (Bolton 0-3 FULHAM)
Damien Delaney (Derby 0-0 IPSWICH)
Greg Cunningham (Peterborough 0-1 NOTTM FOREST)
Cliff Byrne (SCUNTHORPE 1-0 Exeter)
Shaun Williams (MK DONS 3-0 Tranmere)
Peter Murphy (CARLISLE 0-0 Scunthorpe)
Cliff Byrne (Carlisle 0-0 SCUNTHORPE)
Alan Bennett (CHELTENHAM 2-0 Barnet)
Kane Ferdinand (SOUTHEND 2-0 Wimbledon)
Alan Maybury (ST JOHNSTONE 0-0 Inverness)

IN THE WARS
Not so Mellow Yellow…
Samir Carruthers (Liverpool 1-1 ASTON VILLA)
Greg Cunningham (NOTTM FOREST 0-1 Bristol City)
Stephen McPhail (Middlesbrough 0-2 CARDIFF)
Paddy McCarthy (Birmingham 3-1 CRYSTAL PALACE)
Harry Arter (Sheffield United 2-1 BOURNEMOUTH)
Alan Judge (NOTTS COUNTY 3-1 Yeovil)
Jonathan Douglas (Hartlepool 0-0 BRENTFORD)
Clinton Morrison (Hartlepool 0-0 BRENTFORD)
Ian Morris (Oxford United 2-2 TORQUAY)
Cian Bolger (Crewe 2-0 BRISTOL ROVERS)
Alan Maybury (ST JOHNSTONE 0-0 Inverness)

Raging Red…
Ian Morris (Oxford United 2-2 TORQUAY)

TIPS
Tuesday…
Brighton v Reading – Draw (23/10)
Blackburn v Liverpool – Draw (12/5)

Wednesday…
Man City v West Brom – City (2/7)
Wigan v Man United – United (4/11)
Wolves v Arsenal – Arsenal (4/9)
QPR v Swansea – QPR (6/5)
Accumulator (City, United, Arsenal & QPR) – 5/1

Category: Soccer

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Category: Soccer

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It’s another weekend of Dublin derby madness – with Shamrock Rovers hosting Bohemians on the back of the Hoops’ 4-0 spanking of Shelbourne last week.
Shels are hoping to bounce back from that defeat when they take on St Patrick’s Athletic, while Derry City and Sligo Rovers are hoping to continue their fine starts to the season.

Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians

Background: Four games in and Bohemians are still searching for their first goal of the campaign.
Their derby rivals Shamrock Rovers are having no such trouble in front of nets – although they were gifted three of their four goals in last weekend’s thumping of Shelbourne. It’s top v bottom in Tallaght.

Position (points): 1st (10) / 12th (1)
Form: WWDW / LLLD
Scorers: Gary Twigg 4 / -
Banker: Rovers (2/7)
Bluffer: Rovers -2 (11/4)

Shelbourne v St Patrick’s Athletic

Background: A bumpy pitch knocked St Pat’s off their stride last Sunday when they were held to a goalless draw by Bohemians. Their top scorer Dean Kelly is suspended.
Shelbourne, meanwhile, are licking their wounds after a painful 4-0 defeat to Shamrock Rovers. Goalkeeper Dean Delaney was sent off after just four minutes of that one and is missing tonight through suspension.

Position (points): 6th (7) / 4th (8)
Form: DWWL / WWDD
Scorers: Philly Hughes 3 / Dean Kelly 2
Banker: Shelbourne (7/4)
Bluffer: 1-0 (13/2)

Cork City v Bray Wanderers

Background: The visit of Bray Wanderers offers Cork City a great chance to pick up their first win of the season – given how leaky the Seagulls are in defence. They have conceded eleven goals in their first four games.
But do the Leesiders have the firepower to take advantage? With an increasingly frustrated support, it’s time to finally break their winless run.

Position (points): 11th (1) / 9th (3)
Form: LLDL / LLWL
Scorers: Sullivan, Kavanagh, Horgan 1 / Byrne, O’Connor 2
Banker: Cork (8/13)
Bluffer: Dan Murray anytime scorer (9/1)

Drogheda United v Derry City

Background: Drogheda United have made a fine start to the season but they will be put to the sword by a strong Derry side tonight.
Injury worries mean late fitness tests for both sides – with Peter Hynes, Ryan Brennan and Declan O’Brien doubts for the hosts, and Stephen McLaughlin and Patrick McEleney struggling for the visitors.

Position (points): 5th (7) / 3rd (9)
Form: LWDW / WWLW
Scorers: Dean Marshall 2 / McLaughlin, Patterson 2
Banker: Derry (11/10)
Bluffer: Rory Patterson to score two or more goals (9/1)

UCD v Monaghan United

Background: Roddy Collins junior got on the scoresheet for Monaghan United earlier this week – and proud Roddy senior is hoping their EA Sports Cup win over Fanad can lead to a first Premier Division victory of the season.
While this is likely to be a sparsely attended game, it could be the match of the night between two sides with some very exciting young attacking players.

Position (points): 8th (3) / 10th (2)
Form: WLLL / DLDL
Scorers: Graham Rusk 3 / McDonagh, Murphy 1
Banker: Draw (9/4)
Bluffer: 2-2 (14/1)

Sligo Rovers v Dundalk (Saturday)

Background: The Bit O’Red have been on a winning run ever since they got out of jail against Shelbourne on the opening night of the season.
And despite Dundalk picking up their first victory of the season in last weekend’s clash with UCD, Sligo should prevail in the Showgrounds.

Position (points): 2nd (10) / 7th (5)
Form: DWWW / DLDW
Scorers: McGuinness, North 2 / O’Neill, Shields 1
Banker: Sligo (1/4)
Bluffer: Danny North to score first (3/1)

Accumulator (Rovers, Shelbourne, Cork, Derry, Draw, Sligo) – 48/1
The don’t-even-think-about-it Bumper Bluffer Accumulator (Bohemians, Bray, Monaghan, Drogheda) – 822/1
Charity Treble* (Rovers, Longford, Shelbourne) – 4/1

*Charity Treble is a season-long bet between Mark McCadden and former league star Andy Cousins – with the loser paying €100 to a charity of the winner’s choice. You can track our progress on twitter #charitytreble

Category: Soccer

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James McClean celebrated his brand new Sunderland contract with a goal and an assist in the Black Cats’ 3-1 win against QPR, while Ian Harte’s strike helped keep Reading’s automatic promotion dreams alive.
Here’s a look at the Irish performers in the English and Scottish leagues last weekend, along with a few tips for this week’s action.

IN THE GOALS
Shane Long (WEST BROM 1-3 Newcastle)
James McClean (SUNDERLAND 3-1 qpr)
Jeff Hendrick (DERBY 3-2 Crystal Palace)
Ian Harte (READING 3-1 Blackpool)
Sean Murray (WATFORD 2-1 Ipswich)
Martin Rowlands (COLCHESTER 1-1 Carlisle)
James Berrett (Colchester 1-1 CARLISLE)
Billy Clarke (CRAWLEY 3-0 Rotherham)
James Collins (Morecambe 0-1 SHREWSBURY)

DOUBLE TROUBLE
Paul Heffernan (KILMARNOCK 2-0 Motherwell)

BLANKETY BLANK
Joe Murphy (COVENTRY 2-0 Portsmouth)
Richard Keogh (COVENTRY 2-0 Portsmouth)
Darren O’Dea (Millwall 0-1 LEEDS UNITED)
Cliff Byrne (SCUNTHORPE 0-0 Notts County)
Alan Sheehan (Scunthorpe 0-0 NOTTS COUNTY)
Alan Bennett (CHELTENHAM 0-0 Oxford United)
Sean Dillon (Hibernian 0-2 DUNDEE UNITED)
Gavin Gunning (Hibernian 0-2 DUNDEE UNITED)

IN THE WARS
Not so Mellow Yellow…
Stephen Ireland (Arsenal 3-0 ASTON VILLA)
Darron Gibson (Swansea 0-2 EVERTON)
Marc Wilson (STOKE 1-1 Man City)
Stephen Dawson (BARNSLEY 1-0 Peterborough)
Richard Keogh (COVENTRY 2-0 Portsmouth)
Andy Keogh (MILLWALL 0-1 Leeds United)
Darren O’Dea (Millwall 0-1 LEEDS UNITED)
Harry Arter (Oldham 1-0 BOURNEMOUTH)
Jamie Devitt (Dag & Red 2-1 ACCRINGTON STANLEY)
Eunan O’Kane (TORQUAY 2-1 Port Vale)
Jim Goodwin (Dunfermline 1-1 ST MIRREN)
Matt Doherty (HIBERNIAN 0-2 Dundee United)

TIPS
Monday: Manchester United -2 versus Fulham (17/10)
Tuesday: APOEL v Real Madrid (Real – 2/7); Benfica v Chelsea (draw – 23/10); Sunderland v Everton (Sunderland – 7/5)
Wednesday: Milan v Barcelona (Barcelona – 8/11); Marseille v Bayern (Bayern – 10/11)

Category: Soccer

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There were plenty of shocks in last weekend’s Airtricity League action – with Monaghan United and Cork City grabbing surprise draws against high-flying St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers respectively. And Shelbourne’s excellent start shows no signs of slowing down. But the Reds face their toughest test yet when they visit Tallaght Stadium for the eagerly anticipated resumption of their rivalry with former Ringsend neighbours Rovers.

Shamrock Rovers v Shelbourne
Background: The Hoops are on course for the title of comeback kings this season. They have had to chase each of their three games to date – and last week it took an injury-time Gary Twigg leveller to spare them from defeat against Cork City.
Only for the concession of a last-gasp equaliser against Sligo in their first game back in the top-flight, Shelbourne would have maximum points. Philly Hughes is on fire for them.
Position (points): 1st (7) / 2nd (7)
Form: WWD / DWW
Scorers: Gary Twigg 3 / Philly Hughes 3
Banker: Rovers (8/13)
Bluffer: Rovers to come from behind and win (9/1)

Derry City v Cork City
Background: Derry bounced back from last weekend’s defeat to Shelbourne with a Setanta Sports Cup win against Linfield. But they are missing in-form striker Rory Patterson through suspension.
Cork picked up their first point last weekend, although they were seconds away from all three against Shamrock Rovers.
Position (points): 5th (6) / 11th (1)
Form: WWL / LLD
Scorers: Rory Patterson 2 / Vinny Sullivan, Gavin Kavanagh, Daryl Horgan 1
Banker: Derry (4/5)
Bluffer: 2-0 (7/1)

Bray Wanderers v Drogheda United
Background: The Seagulls swooped for their first points of the campaign last weekend against UCD and returning striker Jason Byrne got off the mark in that one.
Drogheda, held to a scoreless draw last weekend by rivals Dundalk, are hoping striker Declan O’Brien recovers from a knock he picked up in Monday’s shock Leinster Senior Cup defeat to Firhouse Clover.
Position (points): 8th (3) / 6th (4)
Form: LLW / LWD
Banker: Draw (9/4)
Bluffer: Jason Byrne to score first in 1-1 draw (25/1)

Monaghan United v Sligo Rovers
Background: Roddy Collins has cranked up the mind games by insisting that all the pressure is on Sligo Rovers – while confidence will be high in the Monaghan camp after their draw away to St Pat’s last week. The Bit O’Red are still bedding in under new boss Ian Baraclough and they will be tested once again tonight by an organised Gortakeegan outfit.
Position (points): 4th (7) / 9th (2)
Form: DLD / DWW
Banker: Draw (5/2)
Bluffer: 1-1 (6/1)

Dundalk v UCD
Background: They are strong in defence but the Lilywhites continue to lack a cutting edge up front. Three games in and no goals scored – they need to break their duck soon or confidence will ebb away. For UCD it’s a case of ifs and buts. After an opening day win against Cork City they let a point slip away in injury-time against Sligo, before conceding two late goals in a 3-2 defeat to Bray Wanderers.
Position (points): 10th (2) / 7th (3)
Form: DLD / WLL
Banker: Draw (11/5)
Bluffer: 0-0 (6/1)

Bohemians v St Patrick’s Athletic (SUNDAY)
Background: As with Dundalk, Bohemians are really struggling in front of goal and they are rooted to the foot of the table with three defeats from their opening three games.
It won’t get any easier for them against Sunday’s visitors St Pat’s, who conceded their first of the campaign in last weekend’s shock draw against Monaghan.
Position (points): 12th (0) / 3rd (7)
Form: LLL / WWD
Banker: St Pat’s (11/10)
Bluffer: Stephen O’Flynn to score first (6/1)

Accumulator (Rovers, Derry, Draw, Draw, Draw, Pat’s) – 222/1

Category: Soccer

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