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\nDerry City play their final game at Celtic Park<\/p>\n
Venues are high up the list of talking points as the League of Ireland resumes tonight following the mid-season break.<\/p>\n
Now clashing with the World Cup, crowds will undoubtedly be down in this round of Premier Division games, for reasons not even relating to the biggest competition in the world.<\/p>\n
Galway United host Dundalk in Munster FA Turner’s Cross in what will prove a bad look for the league.<\/p>\n
The Tribesmen had been hoping to play the game in Pearse Stadium due to works on the Eamonn Deacy Park pitch.<\/p>\n
They will host three matches in the GAA venue, but an All-Ireland Football Championship game this weekend denied them the chance to use it for this fixture.<\/p>\n
With no available venue in the county, various locations were sought including neighbouring counties and even a fixture reversal to Louth.<\/p>\n
It appears Galway turned down the chance to play the game in Athlone due to the surface being similar to Dundalk\u2019s home pitch.<\/p>\n
With the FAI unwilling to postpone the game, Cork emerged as the only option, and it will be a major surprise if more than a few hundred are in attendance.<\/p>\n
On the pitch it\u2019s one of five crucial fixtures tonight and United have concerns when it comes to staying out of the bottom two. The Lilywhites have been the story of the season so far as they look to maintain the form which has kept them inside the top four.<\/p>\n
United boss John Caulfield urged fans to come out and support the side and make the six-hour round trip for the ‘home\u2019 game.<\/p>\n
“This was the toughest decision the club has had to make since I’ve been at the club,” he said.<\/p>\n
“I’d ask our supporters to please get behind the team. I know there’s been buses at subsidised prices being put on.”<\/p>\n
Consecutive home wins over Shamrock Rovers and Derry City, as well as a draw away to Drogheda United, meant the break came at the wrong time for Dundalk in a way.<\/p>\n
Manager Ciaran Kilduff is excited to get back to action: “We\u2019re really looking forward to our first game back after the break. We\u2019ve had two great battles with Galway already this year, with very little between the teams in both games, so we\u2019re expecting another tough one.<\/p>\n
“As always, we\u2019ll be concentrating on ourselves, but we know in this league there are no easy games and we expect nothing different.<\/p>\n
“From a squad point of view, everyone who was available before the break is fit and ready to go.<\/p>\n
“We\u2019re excited to get the second half of the season up and running and we\u2019re hoping to go and put in a strong performance.”<\/p>\n
\nDerry City play their final game at Celtic Park<\/p>\n
Elsewhere Derry City are also on the move for what will be their final match at Derry GAA\u2019s Celtic Park.<\/p>\n
Bohemians are the visitors for the fixture with Tiernan Lynch in need of points after a very disappointing season so far.<\/p>\n
With their latest defeat in Dundalk leaving the Candystripes just three points ahead of the relegation play-off spot, Lynch must turn things around soon or risk being cast aside.<\/p>\n
It\u2019s just four victories in 20 matches for a club which was expected to challenge at the very top of the table.<\/p>\n
Cameron Dummigan and Liam Boyce are coming back to fitness for City but they still have a large injury list.<\/p>\n
Lynch said: “Hopefully the break came at a good time for us. This is a great opportunity for us. We don\u2019t undermine the threat of Bohemians or the things they are good at but we very much focus on ourselves.<\/p>\n
“In the last couple of games at Celtic Park, I thought we were excellent on both occasions. Our Achilles’ heelwas we couldn\u2019t put the ball in the net. Hopefully we can work to put that right.”<\/p>\n
Bohs remain in the title hunt and must find more consistency if that is to remain the case.<\/p>\n
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\nShamrock Rovers are in the driving seat<\/p>\n
Shamrock Rovers solidified their grip on top spot with two massive Dublin derby wins before the break and they look to make it three in Tolka Park against Shelbourne tonight.<\/p>\n
With a six-point lead at the top, victories in games such as this one with the Reds can go a long way to securing yet another league crown.<\/p>\n
Shels have made improvements in recent weeks amid a seven-match unbeaten run and have to click now with European football on the horizon.<\/p>\n
Stephen Bradley is expecting a tough battle: “They have the likes of Harry Wood, Will Jarvis, really good, strong attacking players. We know too of Se\u00e1n Boyd who’s been with us and John Martin, good players. Having seen their games, Shels have been good so they\u2019re a good team. We know that but we\u2019re coming into the game in a really good place and looking forward to it.”<\/p>\n
Pico Lopes is in the US as he prepares to face Spain on Monday with Cape Verde but all three Irish call-ups Ed McGinty, Matt Healy and the capped Adam Brennan return.<\/p>\n
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\nMax Mata is available after an injury-plagued spell<\/p>\n
St Patrick\u2019s Athletic go into tonight\u2019s clash with Drogheda United boosted by the return of two goalscorers.<\/p>\n
Aidan Keena and Max Mata shared four goals in a friendly win over Longford Town earlier in the week and could make a real difference.<\/p>\n
They also now possess an Irish international in Kian Leavy who will start. Pat’s have, in theory, had a good season, yet expectations are high under Stephen Kenny.<\/p>\n
The Boynesiders are hoping to cause something of an upset.<\/p>\n
Owen Lambe and Warren Davis remain sidelined through injury while Scott Brady, Bridel Bosakani, James Bolger, Conor Keeley and Jason Bucknor are doubtful as they continue recovery from injury.<\/p>\n
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\nKevin Zefi is back in the League of Ireland<\/p>\n
Elsewhere the biggest game of the season for the bottom two arrives as Waterford FC host Sligo Rovers.<\/p>\n
The Blues have been unfortunate not to add to their one win of the campaign and know they simply must pick up three points at the RSC.<\/p>\n
The Bit O\u2019 Red are eight points clear and could move further away from the automatic drop if they can be victorious.<\/p>\n
It will be tricky for Sligo as their injury-list shows eight players unavailable.<\/p>\n
Former Republic of Ireland Under-21 international Kevin Zefi will make his first senior club appearance in five years.<\/p>\n
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