City boost as O’Flynn is fit for Harps clash

CORK CITY manager, Damien Richardson, was cheered yesterday by the news that centre-forward John O’Flynn had overcome a foot injury in time for tonight’s eircom League tie against Finn Harps in Ballybofey.

But O'Flynn's fitness has left him with a selection problem for their opening competitive match of the season.

"Our defence will be on the usual lines from last season's team but I have to think some more about getting a balance in midfield and up front," Richardson said.

Cork go into the game on the back of a winning run in their pre-season games, which included matches with Limerick and Cobh Ramblers.

The results may not be of particular significance Cork beat UCC 3-0 in mid-week in their latest match but a close observance of what was happening perhaps revealed a little of Richardson's thinking as he sets out to build on what Pat Dolan achieved.

Two of Richardson's decisions are worth mentioning. He paired George O'Callaghan up front alongside O'Flynn in preference to playing him in midfield and he introduced Derek Coughlan to the team for his first match in more than a year.

Coughlan, who had a year at Bohemians didn't play last season but he will offer Cork more options at centre-back and Richardson commented: "He still has some work to do on his fitness. He will travel to Donegal with us but he will not play."

The good form of Joe Gamble in midfield since he returned to Cork late last season means that Richardson has Colin O'Brien, O'Callaghan, Kevin Doyle, Neale Fenn and Denis Behan competing for two positions in midfield and up front although Doyle can also play on the wing.

Behan is not in contention for the match against Harps because of a knee injury and Greg O'Halloran is out through suspension but it is clear that Cork are well equipped to challenge again for honours.

Said Richardson: "I am very optimistic. What I have found here reminded me of my time with Cork in 1993/'94 in that the players have shown a great willingness to apply themselves and a great willingness to learn and that is the most important thing in any sport."

Finn Harps dismissed suggestions that Cork's reputation would be a consideration in their first match in the Premier division after last season's promotion.

Manager Felix Healy commented: "It doesn't make a difference to us who we are playing, whether it's one of the stronger teams like Cork or one of the weaker teams. We treat every opponent the same. What matters to us is that we play as well as we can."

Harps will be without the suspended Anthony Gorman and he will be replaced in midfield by Sean McGowan. Their first choice goalkeeper, James Gallagher, has missed pre-season matches because of a hip problem and Gavin Cullen will continue in goal.

Longford Town were disappointed to lose to Glentoran in their Setanta Cup match but manager Alan Mathews was pleased with the manner in which they fought n the later stages of the game to pull back a goal.

Mathews will have to plan without three suspended players for the visit of Waterford United to Flancare Park, however, for Eric Lavine, John Martin and Stephen Paisley are ruled out due to suspension.

As well he has two regulars injured, Andy Myler and Alan Murphy. In the circumstances they will be a little encouraged by the news that Waterford's Alan Reynolds cannot consider John Frost, Daryl Murphy and Neil Andrews because of suspension or injury.

Cobh Ramblers open their season in Division One with a derby match against Limerick that will give their supporters a first glance of new signings Mark Clifford and Alan Carey, both from Waterford.