Shels in the hunt for O'Halloran

Greg O’Halloran, who has been linked with a move to Shelbourne, is one of five City players who will be out of contract after the FAI Cup final on December 4.

The versatile O’Halloran is scheduled for talks with Damien Richardson early next week.

It will be a busy period of negotiations for Richardson between Friday’s league showdown with Derry at Turner’s Cross and the cup final as he tries to pin down O’Halloran, Neal Horgan, John O’Flynn, Colin O’Brien and Liam Kearney to new deals.

“We are trying to put any talk of contracts on hold at the minute to focus on the league,” said O’Halloran, who may start on Friday night.

“It’s still something the players want sorted out but this week the league is the priority.

“We will have a little breathing space between the league and the cup final but we will all be out of contract at full-time in the cup final,” said O’Halloran who confirmed an approach from Pat Fenlon’s Tolka Reds.

“Shels are looking for cover at full-back and centre-half and they have been in touch with me,” said O’Halloran whose versatility appears to be working against him again this season.

“I have not signed anything with Shels and there’s no pre-contract arrangement or anything like it. I owe it to Damien Richardson to sit down and discuss things with him first and that’s the way it’s going to be with me and the rest of the lads,” he added.

The former Hull City man feels it will suit Cork better now knowing they have to win the game.

“I don’t think either team fancies playing for a draw and it doesn’t make for good football. It’s all kick and rush and there’s nothing constructive about it.

“We know we have got to outscore the opposition to win the league on Friday night and that keeps it simple.

“Win the match, win the league,” said O’Halloran whose mother Stella was quick off the mark when she pre-booked 25 tickets for family and friends for Friday’s crunch match.