With four series of fixtures remaining, the Eircom League First Division promotion race will reach a seminal point at the Showgrounds on Saturday evening, when leaders Sligo Rovers entertain second placed Cobh Ramblers. Victory for Sligo will put them six points clear of their closest challengers, while defeat will see their visitors from Cork, draw level at the top of the table.

Cobh have come with a late challenge for the automatic promotion place and despite their unexpected defeat by Kilkenny City last weekend, will travel with a certain degree of confidence. Sligo Rovers on the other hand, have stuttered of late, with a sequence of five successive draws and are showing signs that the strain of leadership is wearing heavy on their shoulders.

Sligo expect their biggest crowd of the season and the supporters together with manager Sean Connor, will hope that the team throw off the shackles that appear to have bound them in recent games and strike a significant promotion blow.

In another important match, third placed Dublin City play host to fourth placed Limerick. Both clubs entertain realistic hopes of at least making the play off position and a nailbiting encounter can be anticipated. Kilkenny City, the only other side with an outside chance of achieving the play off position, will be expected to overcome visitors Monaghan United in Buckley Park,also on Saturday evening.