LOI preview: Pat's face early test as Hoops visit

When the President's Cup finished in Tallaght Stadium two weeks ago, much was talked about how the real business starts from there on.

How true it was. Shamrock Rovers looked to be the team slow to start the year when they played poorly that night and lost to Derry City last week.

But, looking at the table, their opening to the league season still sees them top of the tree.

Their opponents tonight St Patrick’s Athletic enjoyed a 3-0 success over Shelbourne to back up a good display in Tallaght.

Just when the Tim Clancy era looked to begin on a high, the competitive nature of the division has come to the fore with defeats to Sligo Rovers and Bohemians turning things on its head.

Now the Saints, who along with Derry City are considered the main challengers to Stephen Bradley’s side, face their rivals knowing they can’t afford a third loss in succession.

Home games against UCD and Drogheda United were never really going to trouble the Tallaght outfit.

This match, which is followed by Bohemians next week, will give a greater reading on where they are.

They sit at the head of the table and many around the league will be keen to see the Saints register a win or else the signs will be ominous.

There are three other games this evening, while Sligo Rovers play their first home game of the season against Dundalk on Saturday in The Showgrounds.

There is no televised fixture this week, with the third of 15 live matches by RTÉ Sport coming on Friday 18 March from Oriel Park as Dundalk host Drogheda United.

THE GAMES

St Patrick's Athletic v Shamrock Rovers, Richmond Park, 7.45pm

Once again it'll be a packed house in Inchicore. Shamrock Rovers certainly had the better of these games last year and much of the difference between the teams came from