Shels’ fabulous Baker boy

CHAMPIONS and table-toppers Shelbourne picked up another honour yesterday when Richie Baker was named the eircom/Soccer Writers Association of Ireland Player of the Month for April.

With six goals since the start of the season, 25-year-old Baker has emerged as one of Shelbourne’s star players since rejoining the club after a season in the USA during which he helped the New England Revolution reach the Major League play-offs.

Reflecting on the value of his American experience, Baker said: “The players at the club were brilliant and being around them helped me out a lot. Facilities were good too, we had everything you need to help a player develop. But now I’m just happy to be home. Shels have a lot going for them here as well. A lot of the players are new but they’ve slotted in well. The training’s been great, my fitness has been improving with every game and I’ve been in the right places to score goals.”

Unfortunately for him, Baker may not be able to celebrate his achievement away to fourth-placed Drogheda tonight, manager Pat Fenlon revealing that, as a result of a groin strain, the right-sided midfielder is one of a number of players struggling to be fit. Wes Hoolahan, Stuart Byrne and Jamie Harris are also doubtful, while Colin Hawkins is definitely out through suspension. To give his charges every chance of recovering from what the manager described as “niggles rather than out and out injuries” Fenlon will wait until later today to name his side. But it’s a measure of the strength in depth of the Shelbourne squad that Fenlon can still see the cup as being half full: “We have options. If the two wide fellows are out we’re only bringing in Bobby (Ryan) and Ollie (Cahill) so they’re not bad replacements. Fellows that have played so far have done well but if other lads have to come in, it will give them a chance to stay in the team. That’s the competition I wanted for places.”

Drogheda will be without goalkeeper Dan Connor (groin strain), with last season’s first-choice keeper Gary Rogers taking over between the posts.

Second-placed Cork City play their first Munster derby of the season against Waterford at the RSC with Damien Richardson likely to retain the side which beat St Patrick’s Athletic 3-1 last week. While Derek Coughlan and John O’ Flynn are both fit enough to make the bench, and Danny Murphy - shortly to begin a three-match ban - is available for this one after missing the Pat’s game through suspension, Richardson is not contemplating any changes. But he is looking forward to a derby that won’t be short on atmosphere.

“I can remember fondly the games I had with Shamrock Rovers against Waterford down the years,” he said. “It’s always been a most difficult venue and I anticipate it will be even more so on this occasion. There’s a big crowd travelling from Cork, there’s a big crowd expected in Waterford as well, so it’ll have the atmosphere to go along with a proper Munster derby.”

Although negotiations are still not complete on Daryl Murphy’s proposed move to Sunderland, the striker will definitely not be available for Waterford tonight, while Paul Crowley (groin) and Sean Finn (knee) are also out. Upfront, Willie Doyle is expected to partner Willie Bruton. With Cork at their best on the road, and Waterford outstanding at home, manager Alan Reynolds reckons something has to give tonight.

“The players are always up for this game,” he said. “The Munster derby is special and everybody wants to play in it. I’ll have no problems motivating the lads for this one.”

In Dublin, another derby game sees St Patrick’s Athletic at home to Shamrock Rovers on a day when the Hoops are expected to learn the nature of any sanction that might be imposed on the club by the FAI for irregularities in their license application. Speculation was rife yesterday that Rovers could suffer the penalty of a nine-point deduction, even though there appears to be no provision for that kind of punishment in the Club Licensing Manual. Pat’s, unbeaten at home, will be at full strength with Ger Rowe having recovered from a virus, while Shamrock Rovers are missing only Lee Feeney with a thigh injury.

Elsewhere, third-placed Derry City have Killian Brennan back from a groin problem though Ruaidhri Higgins (knee) is doubtful for the trip to the Carlisle Grounds where striker Stephen Fox (calf) is an uncertain starter for Bray Wanderers.

Bohemians have Ken Oman and Dessie Byrne back from suspension though Thomas Heary (shin) is out and Terry Palmer (calf) is doubtful for the visit of Longford Town. Longford welcome back Stephen Paisley, who missed the Setanta Cup defeat by Linfield through suspension, but Dessie Baker (knee) and Dean Fitzgerald (ankle) are doubtful. Finally, UCD visit bottom-placed Finn Harps tomorrow.