LOI preview: Hoops close on title with UCD on brink

There was a slew of significant results in last week's league and FAI Cup schedule.

At the top of the table, Shamrock Rovers survived their biggest test of the run-in when a late Graham Burke spot-kick secured a point at Derry City.

The Hoops were minutes away from seeing their biggest rivals reduce the lead to a single point.

The penalty and red card for Shane McEleney could be defining moments in the season and tonight brings a huge chance for Stephen Bradley's men to put one hand on the title.

The champions are in UCD to face a College side set for relegation if they fail to take three points.

It has been a trying year for the Students and they will regroup in the second tier next season.

Derry City travel to Sligo for a tricky looking game given the Bit O'Red are themselves battling to avoid the drop.

City have found life against John Russell's side tough this year, losing the reverse fixture and being held in the Brandywell early on in the year.

A win for Shamrock Rovers and a slip-up by Derry could make the closing games quite straightforward in their four-in-a-row quest.

Elsewhere Dundalk are at a low ebb after their cup hammering at Galway United last week. In a quirk of the fixture list they visit the side their manager Stephen O'Donnell left, St Patrick's Athletic, needing to avoid defeat in the race for Europe.

There were harsh words from O'Donnell for his players on a night to forget and they are in danger of seeing their season disintegrate in a matter of weeks.

The Saints are playing their first home game in 42 days and are still in the title mix if they can finish the season with a run of wins.

Shelbourne are in the hunt for Europe but won't have it easy when Cork City come to Tolka Park.

The Rebels, who are into the