news-engine

While leaders Shamrock Rovers are aiming to move closer to another league title, the battle to avoid the drop comes under the microscope tonight with two important fixtures concerning teams in the lower half of the Premier Division table. Galway United and Drogheda United want to avoid not just the automatic relegation spot, but steer clear of a possible play-off. They meet as United return to Eamonn Deacy Park after a summer away due to remedial work on the playing surface. It was a profitable time for United as they stayed unbeaten, with their struggles this year mostly on the road. Drogheda produced a spirit display against the Hoops last time out and were unlucky not to take the victory. Both sides are long credited with tremendous battling qualities and have proven form in avoiding the drop. But the rise of Waterford, who play Bohemians on Saturday, is a warning that this could be a hard-fought run-in. It's unfathomable to think Derry City could be dragged into that mix, yet they are not clear of such problems. The departure of Tiernan Lynch (above) may yield a new dawn at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium as interim boss Mark Connolly takes charge for the first time. It could be one-night only for the technical director of the club and the visit of struggling Sligo Rovers may be perfect timing. The Bit O’ Red have yet to win in the league since May. Two draws under their own new manager, Darren Purse, has offered some hope that they can avoid relegation. With Waterford moving clear, time is quickly running out for Sligo and a tough task for Purse ventures towards impossible. The former Cardiff City man does not think the managerial change in Derry will count for a lot. "Derry will be tough," he stated "They've a huge squad to choose from and they'll provide a challenge but it's one my players will be up for. "Tiernan leaving doesn't change much. They've still a big squad and plenty of options. They'll probably change things a bit, their shape, they might go a bit more direct. We don't know, we'll have to be adaptable. "All we can do is concentrate on ourselves. We try to approach every game as best we can. It's what we do as a team that can get us out of the position we're in. That's all I and we can focus on. "Whatever happens after that, we'll have to manage and deal with from there." The final game of the night concerns the champions hosting a Dundalk side filled with regrets over their recent run. The Lilywhites have dropped a host of points from winning positions. Having dominated the entire game against Sligo in Oriel Park last week, they succumbed to an injury-time goal to drop two points in the race for Europe. Shels are appearing to be on unsteady legs, even with the appointment of John Russell, so there is a huge opportunity to book fourth place. Manager Ciaran Kilduff feels his side can get a result: "We're looking forward to the challenge of facing the champions, the league leaders and a side that continue to set the standard in Irish football. "We have a huge amount of respect for Shamrock Rovers and what they've achieved, but our focus will be on making the best account of ourselves, just as we've tried to do every week this season. "We know what we're capable of. We beat Rovers in our last home meeting and picked up a draw in Tallaght earlier in the campaign, so if we reach the levels we know we can, we're confident we can give them a real test. At the same time, we understand the magnitude of the task that lies ahead. "There were plenty of positives to take from last week's performance. We felt we controlled large periods of the game and were disappointed not to come away with the win, but football moves quickly and there's no bigger game to focus on than Shamrock Rovers away." The Hoops appear to be cruising towards yet another league title. Even after dropping points last week in Drogheda, all three sides below them, including Dundalk, also drew. They will rotate again but with six days until their Europa League second leg with Egnatia, they can afford to mix and match with an FAI Cup match with St Patrick’s Athletic three days after that clash in Albania in mind. One player the Hoops will be without is Naj Razi who suffered a broken jaw in the European game during the week. Dan Cleary and Danny Grant could return next week while Roberto Lopes begins a three-game ban. Stephen Bradley has heaped praise on the Lilywhites ahead of the clash: "They're a very honest and hardworking group. Ciarán Kilduff and his staff have done an excellent job, have them really well organised and obviously they have quality. "They’ve lost some big players recently but how they’ve regrouped has been brilliant. So the fact they’re pushing for Europe in their first season back up is a brilliant achievement. "They beat us in our last meeting in Oriel Park, got a draw in Tallaght earlier this season so we’re under no illusions that tonight is a tough game."