LOI Preview: Cork City return to Turner's Cross for Wexford clash

Six points separating the top four teams and five dividing the bottom three makes for an appetising Bank Holiday Premier Division series.

Cork City’s seven-point buffer at the top differentiates the First Division for pattern and the Rebels are back at Turner’s Cross against Wexford after essential pitch renovations since their win on a damp and disfigured surface over Cobh Ramblers on March 11.

Leaders Shelbourne travel to third-placed Derry City in the pick of the top-flight fixtures, the final match of five which begins with the basement battle between Drogheda United and Dundalk.

Facing a Waterford side buoyed with their win in Sligo Rovers on Friday won’t be ideal for Shamrock Rovers, stuttering a tad after their third draw in four matches against neighbours Bohemians.

“You look at Waterford’s threats, they have some really good ones in the final third,” notes Rovers boss Stephen Bradley.

“What you get with Keith Long’s teams is they’re always well-organised. You combine those two and you know it will be a difficult game. We know we’ll have to be at our best to take the points.”

Bohs are the only side in the top five with a game in hand. Still, Galway United have made life difficult through their stubborn defensive unit drilled by John Caulfield and Ollie Horgan.

“We are still a work in progress as we saw that by losing in Dundalk,” said Gypsies boss Alan Reynolds, eight games into his Dalymount reign.

“That there is still a lot that we need to improve on and change but what I like is what I saw on Friday was a really strong never-say-die attitude from our players.

“We played well but if we want to build on that we need to improve further. We’ll freshen up the team with this game coming three days later.”

Tim Clancy