World news – IN – LOI preview: Donegal showdown holds key to level of drama on final nighten

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After several months of confusion and uncertainty peppered with scraps around cash and compensation, the League of Ireland Premier Division season draws to a close tonight

It was half the length of what was envisaged all the way back in February, yet it’s still something of an achievement to get this far with Covid dramas only really disrupting the schedule in the final weeks with the FAI learning the hard way about leaving things too loose when it came to cancellation policies

There’ll be no excuse for similar mistakes in 2021 when the hope is that spectators will be able to return eventually It’s a soulless existence without them

Abbotstown officials are entitled to feel satisfaction that they’ve managed to get things to this point and, while Shamrock Rovers have already been crowned champions and Cork City have fallen through the automatic trapdoor, there’s potentially something riding on all five games

This is the game that holds the key to whether it’s a dramatic evening or not

Finn Harps are second from bottom, two points from safety, so their only chance of avoiding a play-off with Longford next week is registering a home win here and hoping results go their way elsewhere

Ollie Horgan’s side were battling to avoid bottom spot at one stage but they now have a free shot at getting out of trouble completely

Waterford are in a curious position They can finish third with a win, and if Dundalk slip up at home to Sligo Rovers but if Shamrock Rovers, Bohemians or Dundalk go on to win the FAI Cup – and it would be a surprise if they didn’t – fourth spot will be enough for Europe Avoiding defeat should keep them there

It’s simple for Dundalk If they draw this game, they will finish third so their task is reasonably straight-forward

Sligo Rovers have something to play for, however, as three points here gives them the chance to overtake Waterford and take fourth spot If Waterford were to lose in Donegal, any kind of win would do

If Waterford were to draw in Donegal, then a shock two goal win in Louth for Liam Buckley’s side would likely put them in position to take fourth on goals scored

Shels followers will also likely be keeping an eye on events in Donegal It will be a big ask for Ian Morris’ team to get a result against Stephen Bradley’s league winners who have shown no sign of letting up

So if this goes to form and Rovers win, then Shels would end up in the play-off if Harps defeated Waterford A draw for Shels would leave Harps requiring a three goal win

They start the night with their destiny in their own hands but they likely need a focused Waterford too

It would require an unlikely series of events for this match to become a significant news story Cork City are relegated and caretaker boss Colin Healy is looking to next season

Derry could finish ninth yet that would require a Cork and Finn Harps wins and Shelbourne avoiding defeat against the Hoops That would be an extraordinary turnaround

St Pat’s need to produce their biggest win of 2020 and hope two other results – and the FAI Cup – go their way if they are to get anything from the season

Stephen O’Donnell’s side can claim fourth position if they defeat Bohs, Sligo Rovers don’t win in Dundalk and Waterford suffer defeat in Donegal It’s not exactly far fetched

However, while second placed Bohs technically have nothing to play for, they’d probably prefer if the Saints weren’t in Europe as they are likely to be shopping in the same aisle

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