League of Ireland: Shelbourne begin life after Damien Duff, as Bohemians take on Shamrock Rovers
League of Ireland (All kick-offs 7.45pm)
Premier Division
Bohemians v Shamrock Rovers
Cork City v Drogheda United
Sligo Rovers v Galway United
St Patrick's Athletic v Derry City
Waterford v Shelbourne
First Division
Bray Wanderers v UCD
Cobh Ramblers v Kerry
Finn Harps v Dundalk
Longford Town v Athlone TownTreaty United v Wexford
4 minutes ago
Stephen Bradley on Damien Duff's departure:
Stephen Bradley has addressed Damien Duff's exit in his pre-match interview on Virgin Media Sport:
"I am sad to see him go," he said. "A loss to Shelbourne, a loss to the league. I'm disappointed to see him go and hopefully he's back in the game soon enough"
5 minutes ago
It's Dublin derby time for Dan McDonnell tonight as Bohs face Shamrock Rovers:
Greetings from Dalymount Park where runaway leaders Shamrock Rovers have made seven changes for their trip to face arch rivals Bohemians.
Friday's defeat for Bohs in Waterford has taken a little bit of the title based suspense out of this encounter with Rovers now 11 clear at the top of the table and 12 ahead of Bohs - although the Gypsies do have two games in hand.
Jack Byrne and Graham Burke come in after sitting out Friday's stroll past Cork City. Matt Healy and Lee Grace are also available again.
7 minutes ago
Sean O'Connor is in Waterford this evening as Shels come to town:
Hello and welcome to the RSC here as Shelbourne begin life without Damien Duff.
The champions were left shocked a little over 24 hours ago when the Ireland centurion informed his squad that he was leaving, and despite some attempts to get the Ireland centurion to change his mind, he wasn't for moving and now for the first time in 151 games, Shels face into a match without Duff as their manager.
That role has been left to Joey O'Brien, on an interim basis for now, who is sure to be asked about his intentions after the game. But for now, he has made five changes to the Reds 11 as Sean Gannon, Tyreke Wilson, Mark Coyle, Mipo Odubeko and Ali Coote come in after Friday's loss to Derry. Sam Bone, James Norris, Kerr McInroy, John Martin and Sean Boyd drop out, with Shels hoping to kick off the post-Duff era with a win.
For the hosts, a win tonight would lift them to within a point of their visitors as John Coleman's men aim for successive wins over Dublin sides in the space of four days after Friday's win here against Bohs.
9 minutes ago
Earlier this afternoon, Dan McDonnell received information that Damien Duff is not in contact with Keith Andrews over a potential assistant role with Brentford:
Damien Duff dismisses link to Brentford assistant role under Keith Andrews
Damien Duff is not planning a swift return to football with Brentford.
www.independent.ie
11 minutes ago
Eamonn Sweeney feels Damien Duff's shock exit will leave a blot on his managerial copybook but it reflects the nature of his brave ways:
16 minutes ago
The League of Ireland preview is here once again as Sean O'Connor takes us through the five topflight games on show tonight:
League of Ireland previews: Shamrock Rovers visit main rivals at Dalymount Park as Shelbourne begin life without Damien Duff
BOHEMIANS v SHAMROCK ROVERS
www.independent.ie
20 minutes ago
Good evening and welcome to another Independent.ie live blog covering Matchday 21 of the League of Ireland Premier Division. My name is Ultán Corcoran, and I will be keeping you up to speed with all the action it unfolds around the grounds.
We have five games kicking off at 7.45pm tonight as Bohemians host Shamrock Rovers in the Dublin derby with televised coverage on Virgin Media Two. We will also have updates from St.Patrick's Athletic vs Derry City, Sligo Rovers vs Galway United, Cork City vs Drogheda United and Waterford vs Shelbourne.
Score updates will be provided for all five First Division games starting at 7.45pm too.
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