LOI preview: Title race tops agenda on pivotal night

Three major issues in the 2022 League of Ireland come to the fore this evening as a season which looked like petering out hots up with just three full rounds of matches to come.

When Derry City were soundly beaten by Sligo Rovers on 23 May, their title hopes looked over and, indeed, they looked to be getting sucked back into a battle for a European position.

Derry are in Sligo for the return fixture this Monday and remarkably have been unbeaten domestically since that game.

The 14-league game run and passage to the FAI Cup final has the Candystripes dreaming of a double, but it all depends on the next few days.

For now, Ruaidhri Higgins' men simply have hope.

Shamrock Rovers dropped points last week in Drogheda, meaning the Hoops are six points ahead but with a game more played.

With a clash of the top two teams in come in Tallaght on Sunday week, the Candystripes have it in their own hands but will likely need a 100% winning run to dethrone the two-time champions.

A cup final dress rehearsal is scheduled for Derry tonight. City have found it tough against Damien Duff’s men and it remains to be seen if this is a good time to face them.

The other in-form team in the country in St Patrick’s Athletic.

An easy 2-0 win in June was demoralising for all in Inchicore but since the European campaign they have been relentless.

One league defeat to Derry in the last 11 has put the Saints in a race with Dundalk for third spot in the division.

Whether they can go to Tallaght and claim victory against a side which hasn’t tasted defeat in over a year at home domestically is a different matter but the Saints are flying high after their 3-1 success over Bohemians last week.

Shamrock Rovers will welcome a crowd of over 7,000 including 1,100 making