Big weekend for Drogheda and manager Timmy Clancy
Trim man Timmy Clancy will have to watch from the stand on Friday night as his Drogheda Utd team go in search of a place in the League of Ireland Premier Division next season.
Clancy is serving a four-game ban arising out of a suspension imposed after an FAI Cup tie against Waterford Utd, but that hasn't hindered Drogheda's progress to the First Division play-offs and Shelbourne will visit United Park on Friday night for the first leg encounter.
Shelbourne and Drogheda finished third and fourth respectively in the First Division and will play-off over two legs, the second leg will take place at Tolka Park next Monday 8th October.
The winner will then go on to face Finn Harps, who finished second in the First Division, and the winner of that tie will face the ninth-placed Premier Division side in a two-leg encounter.
Limerick currently occupy ninth position with Sligo Rovers in eighth, but four games remain in the Premier League where Bray are in 10th position. The Wicklow side will be relegated if they fail to win this weekend.
For Clancy, he could have six more games this season if he can get a winning run out of Drogheda. The play-off action will kick-off on Friday night at 7.45pm.
SCHEDULE
Friday 5th October - Drogheda v Shelbourne, United Park, 7.45pm
Monday 8th October - Shelbourne v Drogheda, Tolka Park, 7.45 pm
Friday 12th October -Shelbourne or Drogheda v Finn Harps, 7.45pm
Friday 19th October - Finn Harps v Shelbourne or Drogheda, Finn Park, 7.45pm
Monday 29th October - Play-off winner v Bray/Limerick/Sligo Rovers.
Friday 2nd November - Bray/Limerick/Sligo Rovers v Play-off winner.