Following last weekend’s exhilarating final round of Airtricity League fixtures which seen Shamrock Rovers and Derry City claim their respective Airtricity League titles in dramatic fashion, the relegation and promotion ties take centre stage this week.

 

Tonight (Tuesday), Galway United host Bray Wanderers at Terryland Park, kick-off 7.45pm, in a play-off game to decide who remains in the Airtricity League Premier Division and who must face either Waterford or Monaghan who come head to head in the Airtricity League First Division promotion decider. Elsewhere, St. Colman’s Park hosts the first leg of the Newstalk A promotion clash between Cobh Ramblers and Salthill Devon.

 

Premier Division survival is on offer in Terryland Park tonight (Tuesday) as Galway United face Bray Wanderers in the Premier Division play-off. In what should be an exciting encounter, both sides will go into the game in confident mood following their recent form in the league. Galway beat Bohemians in the penultimate league match (striking a fatal blow to the Gypsies' title hopes) and drew 3-3 in Drogheda on Friday night in a game where they blooded youngsters and rested their star players.

Bray Wanderers almost cost Shamrock Rovers the Airtricity League Premier Division title last week in an exciting 2-2 draw. The Hoops may be the best side in the land, but they were fortunate to go away from the Carlisle Grounds with a draw and in-turn the Premier Division title.

 

Galway United will have a near full strength squad to chose from as Sean Connor rested several players in Galway’s 3-3 draw with relegated Drogheda United with Stephen O'Donnell making the long awaited return to action following a knee a knee operation. Ciaran Foley (ankle) is the only United player to miss out.

 

Meanwhile, Bray's three long term injury victims, defenders Derek Prendergast (ankle)and Sean Houston (cruciate) along with striker John Mulroy (hamstring) will all miss the trip to Galway but Bray manager, Pat Devlin will welcome back into the squad Danny O'Connor who missed Friday night's draw with Champions Shamrock Rovers due to suspension. Otherwise Bray will have the same squad to pick from as on Friday night.

 

In the Airtricity League First Division, promotion play-off, Waterford United host Monaghan United at the RSC tonight (Tuesday) (KO 7.45pm).

 

The plan, set in motion by Waterford manager Stephen Henderson after the Blues had come off worst against Monaghan at the start of last month, called for four wins in the last four games to guarantee home advantage in the First Division play-off match, and give themselves a real chance of getting to the promotion play-off against either Bray Wanderers or Galway United.

 

Monaghan have been an even tougher proposition in recent times though. After a couple of big home wins in previous years, the Blues have lost to the Northerners on the last four occasions the sides have met, including twice at the RSC. Waterford will not need reminding of this, but will rather look to current form, which sees them with their tails well and truly up, on a 4-match winning run, with comeback victories in the last two games while their opponents have tasted defeat in their last two.

 

With the prize of that second, decisive, play-off up for grabs, it really is a season-defining showdown for both teams. Stephen Henderson must continue to plan without the injured striker Vinny Sullivan, but otherwise has a full panel to choose from.

 

Monaghan manager, Mick Cooke Mick will welcome the return from suspension of Sean Brennan, his side have been picking some knock and injuries and Karl Bermingham remains a casualty.

 

PROMOTION/RELEGATION PLAY-OFF FIXTURES

 Tuesday, 2nd November

 Cobh Ramblers v Salthill Devon, St. Colman’s Park, 7.45 pm

Galway United v Bray Wanderers, Terryland Park, 7.45 pm (Match A)

Waterford United v Monaghan United, R.S.C. , 7.45 pm (Match B)