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<\/p>\nShamrock Rovers are in Waterford and Shelbourne host Dundalk in some of the other Premier Division matches.<\/p>\n
06:00, 03 Apr 2026Updated 16:59, 03 Apr 2026<\/p>\n
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Bohemians’ players huddle ahead of their game against Dundalk(Image: INPHO\/Ryan Byrne)<\/p>\n
Ireland\u2019s World Cup play-off heartache won\u2019t go away anytime soon, but at least there\u2019s a welcome distraction now in the return of League of Ireland football.<\/p>\n
The Premier Division<\/a> took a break last week, as Heimir Hallgr\u00edmsson<\/a>\u2019s men attempted to clinch a spot at this summer\u2019s finals.<\/p>\n But we are back with a bang, with some huge games taking place as the first series of fixtures comes to a close.<\/p>\n Leaders Bohemians<\/a> are away to Drogheda United<\/a>, where the decision to get rid of<\/a> co-chair Joanna Byrne is likely to fuel protests among the fanbase.<\/p>\n Shamrock Rovers are away to struggling Waterford, who hope the signing of 17-time capped Ireland defender Kevin Long can help turn their fortunes around.<\/p>\n For previews of those games and the rest of the Premier Division action, read on\u2026<\/p>\n SHELBOURNE v DUNDALK<\/p>\n Paddy Barrett is back in training, but Sean Moore, Odhran Casey and Milan Mgeng remain sidelined for Shelbourne.<\/p>\n Visitors Dundalk have a host of issues, with Ronan Teahan, Danny Mullen, Conor O’Keeffe and Mayowa Animasahun all facing fitness tests.<\/p>\n Aodh Dervin is suspended, while Rob Cornwall, Leo Gaxha, Vinny Leonard, Norman Garbett and Luke Mulligan all remain sidelined<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re obviously very happy with how we\u2019ve performed in the majority of our games so far this season,\u201d said Dundalk boss Ciaran Kilduff.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re going up against a really tough team in a very difficult fixture and a tough place to go, but we\u2019ll have no fear, as always.\u201d<\/p>\n WHERE CAN I WATCH IT: LOITV<\/p>\n ODDS: Shels 8\/11, Dundalk 7\/2, Draw 12\/5<\/p>\n VERDICT: Draw<\/p>\n ST PATRICK\u2019S ATHLETIC v SLIGO ROVERS<\/p>\n Stephen Kenny welcomes Jamie Lennon, Anto Breslin and Chris Forrester back into his squad, but Ronan Boyce, Simon Power and Zack Elbouzedi are out.<\/p>\n Sligo Rovers won\u2019t have Sean McHale, Conor Reynolds, Ryan O’Kane and Ciaron Harkin, while Daire Patton faces a fitness test. Sean Stewart is a doubt.<\/p>\n \u201cPat’s are in incredibly hot form at the moment,\u201d said Rovers boss John Russell. \u201cAlthough we’re heading there without a few bodies, this is a game we are looking forward to following what’s been a very valuable few days.\u201d<\/p>\n WHERE CAN I WATCH IT: LOITV<\/p>\n ODDS: St Pat\u2019s 3\/10, Sligo Rovers 15\/2, Draw 7\/2<\/p>\n VERDICT: Home win<\/p>\n DROGHEDA UNITED v BOHEMIANS<\/p>\n Owen Lambe remains a long-term absentee for Kevin Doherty\u2019s side, while Scott Brady is still injured. Bohs are missing Dayle Rooney, but Douglas James-Taylor has a 50\/50 chance of making the game against his former club.<\/p>\n Alan Reynolds will watch from the stand as he serves the first of a three-game suspension, and he said: \u201cThe players have worked extremely hard all week preparing for this game.<\/p>\n \u201cThey know what their jobs are and what they have to do and, in Stephen O\u2019Donnell, have a brilliant coach with plenty of managerial experience in the dugout.\u201d<\/p>\n WHERE CAN I WATCH IT: LOITV<\/p>\n ODDS: Drogheda 16\/5, Bohs 17\/20, Draw 11\/5<\/p>\n VERDICT: Home win<\/p>\n WATERFORD v SHAMROCK ROVERS<\/p>\n 17-time capped Ireland defender Kevin Long could make his Waterford debut when the Blues host Shamrock Rovers tonight, while Sam Glenfield and Finlay Armstrong miss out.<\/p>\n Stephen McMullan and Tommy Lonergan are doubts, while on-loan Cian Barrett is unavailable against his parent club.<\/p>\n Shamrock Rovers pair Dan Cleary and Dylan Watts face another few weeks on the sidelines, while Adam Brennan is a doubt and Danny Mandroiu remains a long-term absentee.<\/p>\n \u201cWe\u2019re at home, it\u2019s important that we make sure we\u2019re difficult to play against. No doubt it\u2019ll be a tough and tight game, but it\u2019s one that we\u2019ll be well prepared for,\u201d said Waterford boss Jon Daly.<\/p>\n WHERE CAN I WATCH IT: LOITV<\/p>\n ODDS: Waterford 5\/1, Rovers 4\/9, Draw 3\/1<\/p>\n VERDICT: Away win<\/p>\n GALWAY UNITED v DERRY CITY<\/p>\n Galway United\u2019s Conor McCormack will return to his familiar midfield role after working as assistant manager with the Ireland Under-19s during the international break.<\/p>\n Derry City\u2019s Carl Winchester is back in training, and both he and Rob Slevin could be in the mix tonight. However, Michael Duffy, James McClean and Patrick McClean are doubts.<\/p>\n Tribesmen boss John Caulfield said of tonight\u2019s visitors: \u201cThey have some brilliant players. They have signed several big stars. Their chairman came out at the start of the year and said they expect to win the league.<\/p>\n \u201cAll of our games have been tight this year. Apart from the Rovers game where they scored their second very late, all of our games have gone down to the wire.\u201d<\/p>\n WHERE CAN I WATCH IT: Virgin Media 2 and Virgin Media Player<\/p>\n ODDS: Galway 21\/10, Derry 6\/5, Draw 11\/5<\/p>\n VERDICT: Draw<\/p>\n