IT'S the clash of the big guns in the first of the Setanta Cup semi-finals at Richmond Park tonight as the Eircom League's leading lights go head-to-head.

While it may only be early stages in the domestic campaign, St Patrick's Athletic and Drogheda United have pulled seven points clear at the top of the table.

They have both secured six wins and a draw from their opening seven matches but something must give when they lock horns to fight it out for a place in the final of the lucrative cross-border competition.

St Pat's warmed up for tonight's clash in perfect fashion with a comfortable 4-0 dismissal of Sligo Rovers at the Showgrounds on Saturday night to regain top spot in the league on goal difference.

A penalty from Gary O'Neill put the Saints ahead just past the quarter-hour mark and an own goal by Jamie McKenzie doubled their advantage before the interval.

Sligo's woes continued when Seán Kelly put through his own goal to make it 3-0 before Dave Mulcahy put the icing on the cake with a fourth after good build-up play by Alan Kirby.

The Saints fielded a strong side although Joseph Ndo was missing was a slight knock. It's expected that he will be fit to take his place tonight, with Michael Foley likely to lose out.

Drogheda's only new injury worry is goalkeeper Mikko Vilmunen, who picked up a knock on the Tolka Park surface during Friday's 2-1 win over Shamrock Rovers. However, he will start the game even if he has to play through the pain barrier as back-up Cian Byrne is considered too inexperienced for this level as he is just 16 years old.

"I'm looking forward to the game," said Drogheda manager Paul Doolin. "The Setanta Cup hasn't had a really good game this year so hopefully this will be it.

"I wish we didn't have as many injuries but I have to give my players plenty of credit because they haven't been putting up the white flag. They've just got on with the task."

Next Fixture

vs BOHEMIANS

Date: April 24th (7:45pm)
Competition: League
Venue: Richmond Park
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Team	Pld	Pts
Shamrock Rovers	12	25
St Patrick's Athletic	12	23
Dundalk	12	21
Bohemian FC	12	20
Derry City	12	14
Galway United	11	14
Shelbourne	11	13
Sligo Rovers	12	11
Drogheda United	11	10
Waterford FC	11	4