LOI preview: Clash of the Rovers to heat up European race

The race for European places continues on Friday night with the clash of Shamrock and Sligo Rovers headlining as the RTÉ Sport's television coverage resumes after a summer break.

The Hoops look destined to relinquish their league title after a history-equalling four-in-row success and now set their sights on ensuring they will at least be playing in the Conference League in July 2025.

Stephen Bradley's side will play in the league phase of the 2024/2025 edition in the coming weeks, with four games scheduled for when the Premier Division is finished, meaning their season is far from over.

It would be unthinkable a side of their standing would miss out on the top three league positions, yet they remains a real threat.

Friday night's game is pivotal in that race. Sligo, one of the surprise sides of the season, occupy third place going into the game and know a first win in Tallaght since 2020 would put them in a strong position.

Fourth place will be good enough for Europe if the winner of the Derry City v Shelbourne quarter-final go on to lift the FAI Cup.

Five sides hold realistic hopes of finishing third so there will be plenty of twists and turns to come over the final series of games which is now well underway.

Bradley’s side have had to sit on dwell on their league defeat to rivals Bohemians for two weeks due to the international break-up.

After their European qualifying schedule, this begins an extremely hectic period of five league matches in 14 days.

Now rested and with some players recovered from injury, including leading scorer Johnny Kenny who will line out against his former club, expectations will be they can kick on.

Ahead of a period which will have a big say on whether can stay in Europe, Bradley said: "There are a lot