Airtricity League Live - Gameweek 8

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Bray Wanderers v Dundalk - Live Updates

Cork City v Bohemians - Live Updates

Derry City v UCD - Live Updates

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers - Live Updates

St Patrick’s Athletic v Athlone Town - Live Updates

Waterford United v Finn Harps - Live Updates

Limerick FC v Sligo Rovers - Live Updates

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne - Live Updates

CHAMPIONS St Patrick’s Athletic will host bottom of the table Athlone Town in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division on Friday night hoping to keep the pressure on leaders Cork City who meet Bohemians at Turner’s Cross.

John Caulfield’s Cork City side are top of the table on goal difference with a game in hand on joint leaders Dundalk, who will face a testing visit to Bray Wanderers. Cork are defending the division’s only unbeaten league record and host a Bohs side looking to halt a three-game losing streak.

After a slow start St Pat’s have won four games in a row but they will be wary of wounded Athlone, who are desperate to pick up their first points of the campaign after nine losses in succession.

Shamrock Rovers are looking to stay on the coat-tails of the leading three sides but will be expecting nothing easy against a Drogheda United side looking to return to form after three defeats on the bounce.

Limerick FC’s meeting with Sligo Rovers at Thomond Park also promises to be an evenly matched encounter as each comes into the tie on the back of two wins and two draws from their last four league fixtures.

Derry City have yet to find their form this term under new manager Roddy Collins but they will be favourites as they welcome UCD to the Brandywell. The Students have lost their last three league games.

In the First Division, leaders Shelbourne will be looking to extend their unbeaten run when they visit third-placed Wexford Youths in what should be the game of the weekend in that division at Ferrycarrig Park.

Waterford United picked up their first win of the season last weekend when they hosted Shamrock Rovers B and they will look to leap-frog Finn Harps who they host at the RSC.

On Saturday first cousins Tony Cousins of Longford Town and Tommy Dunne of Galway FC will go head to head at Citi Calling Stadium. Just a point separates their two sides so the family affair should make for an interesting tussle.

On Sunday Shamrock Rovers B welcome Cobh Ramblers to Tallaght Stadium and the visitors will be looking to bag their first win of the season.

Elsewhere this weekend a number of non-league sides will compete in the FAI Ford Cup First Round bidding to secure a place alongside the SSE Airtricity League clubs at the next stage of the competition. FAI Umbro Intermediate Cup holders Avondale United face local rivals Carrigaline United on Sunday while FAI Junior Cup finalists St Michael’s Tipperary will host St Francis – famous for reaching the FAI Senior Cup Final back in 1990 – also on Sunday.

This weekend’s fixtures:

Friday, April 25

SSE Airtricity League Premier Division

Bray Wanderers v Dundalk, Carlisle Grounds, 19:45.

Cork City v Bohemians, Turner’s Cross, 19:45.

Derry City v UCD, Brandywell Stadium, 19:45.

Drogheda United v Shamrock Rovers, United Park 19:45.

Limerick FC v Sligo Rovers, Thomond Park, 19:45.

St Patrick’s Athletic v Athlone Town, Richmond Park, 19:45.

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Waterford United v Finn Harps, RSC, 19:45.

Wexford Youths v Shelbourne, Ferrycarrig Park, 20:00.

Saturday, April 26

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Longford Town v Galway FC, City Calling Stadium, 19:30.

Sunday, April 27

SSE Airtricity League First Division

Shamrock Rovers v Cobh Ramblers, Tallaght Stadium, 15:00.