Match Previews

Long term casualties Shane Barrett(r)(mid) and Declan OBrien(k)(att) are still missing. Damien Lynch(r)(def) is injured. Brian Shelley(r)(def) is a slight doubt.  Drogheda defeated Libertas of San Marino in the last round. They drew one all in the first leg in San Marino and were very comfortable winners in the second leg(3-0). In the domestic league Drogheda are riding high. They have lost just twice all season in twenty one games and are eight points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand.  Long term casualties Shane Barrett(r) and Declan OBrien(k) are missing and Damien Lynch(r) is also out. Lynch wouldnt have started anyway and would have been an unlikely substitute.  Other than that everyone took a full part in training on Wednesday. Drogheda have had terrible injury problems all season but for this tie they will have more players available than they have had for any other game this season. Manager Paul Doolin has stuck with more or less the same line up for the last seven or eight games and isnt expected to change things much for this game.  Club captain and centre back Jason Gavin(k) has been missing all season but has recently returned from injury - its very unlikely he will start the game but will probably be on the bench. Brian Shelley(r) has been carrying a slight knock of late but after a good run out in training has probably done enough to prove his fitness. Ollie Cahill(r) is also now available, but again he is not expected to start. Midfielder Paul Keegan(r) was instrumental for both games in the last round and was rested last Friday night for Droghedas league game. He is the best passer of the ball at the club and is very good at keeping possession so he is expected to start. Alongside him in central midfield the experienced Stuart Byrne(r) will sit deep and be called upon to break up attacks before they threaten the back four. Going on the drills practised at training on Wednesday morning it seems as if Sami Ristilla(r) and Eamon Zayed(r) will be the preferred two upfront. Ristilla is also well able to drop deep into midfield so he gives Drogheda the option of going with five in midfield at any time should circumstances require it.