LOI preview: Hoops seek response against improving Cork City

The dust has barely settled on an eventful Friday night in the SSE Airtricity League of Ireland as another set of matches takes place this evening.

Many sides will be happy to welcome another game after some heavy defeats and surprise outcomes.

Derry City remain unbeaten after ending a two-year undefeated Tallaght Stadium run for Shamrock Rovers.

The champions and UCD are the only sides not to claim a victory so far.

The Candystripes will look to maintain their lead at the top of the table when they travel to Belfield this evening.

Speaking to RTÉ Sport after their win in Tallaght, Derry boss Ruaidhri Higgins was not getting carried away with the result.

"It's too early to be talking about statement wins. It's a big win. We’ve gone away to Pat’s, away to Shamrock Rovers, and home to Cork and we’ve taken seven points. It’s a great start but that’s all it is.

"To come here and pick up points, I don't think Rovers lost a home game last season, so to come here and beat them was a brilliant result."

It was a worrying performance and scoreline by UCD after positive signs early in the season. This is not an ideal game for the Students as they look to add to their single point on the table.

Cork City were impressive on the night and travel to take on the champions with at least more hope than they would have had a few days ago.

Shamrock Rovers manager Stephen Bradley feels Cork deserve respect back in the top flight.

He continued: "I think what you’ll get with Colin’s teams is a team that’s really well organised and they know their jobs. If you watch their game against Derry, they had three or four really good opportunities to equalise and go ahead in the game.

"They’re off the back of a really good win against UCD so I’ve no doubt they’ll