O’Flynn pleased as surgery unnecessary

CORK CITY centre-forward, John O’Flynn, yesterday received the encouraging news that he should not have to undergo surgery to cure his stubborn knee injury.

But it is virtually certain he will not play again this season.

O’Flynn made a re-appearance in the Cork team as substitute against Longford Town on Tuesday after missing the previous 11 matches because of his injury. His experience caused him to travel to Dublin yesterday for a consultation with a specialist.

Manager Pat Dolan travelled with O’Flynn and last night said: “John was not entirely happy with how his knee felt after the match.

“The good news is that the specialist has confirmed that the programme of remedial work he is doing is correct and he must continue with that,” said Dolan, “but he said he must rest the injury some more and advised him not to play.

“The only reason John played against Longford was that he has been pushing himself hard. He wanted to help because now we have a chance of achieving something tangible (qualification for Europe), he wanted to be part of it.

“We will not risk him again until we are certain everything is right. He will not need surgery, the specialist told us, he’s got to continue the work he has been doing and rest up.”

O’Flynn’s determination to return was understandable. Despite missing eleven matches he is still Cork’s leading goal-scorer with 14 in the league, and Cork have scored just two goals in their last five matches.

Cork face Shamrock Rovers tonight at Turner’s Cross (7.45pm) and need to win to ensure Rovers do not mount a challenge to take their European place away from them. They will have to plan without Greg O’Halloran and Dan Murray, both of whom miss the game because of suspension.

Cork will be hoping that Colin T O’Brien, forced off after 35 minutes against Longford, and Neal Horgan, who missed the game entirely, will be recovered from ‘flu. Conor O’Grady, Alan Bennett, Kevin Murray, Denis Behan will all be challenging for a starting place.

Shamrock Rovers boss Liam Buckley must plan without the suspended Alan Reynolds and Stephen Gough. Defender, Trevor Crolly is expected to return after recovering from a thigh injury and striker Gary Haylock is in line for a start.

Waterford United travel to play Bohemians at Dalymount Park (7.45pm) and will be strengthened by the return of U21 international goalkeeper Dan Connor and midfielder Michael Clifford.

They will have to plan without the suspended Jerry McLoughlin and, despite some unhelpful results recently, manager Jimmy McGeough said: “The results may not have been great but playing-wise we have been producing some super stuff. It is just that we have not been getting the breaks.”

Waterford’s ill luck stretched to the point where two of their defenders surrendered own goals in their last couple of matches. Against St Pats they lost Clifford to a red card and then gave away a late OG to spoil a performance that, in McGeough’s opinion, was away ahead of Pat’s.

Now they face the ultimate test against champions Bohs and McGeough said: “I said early on that I fancied them to retain the title. They started slowly as champions usually do but they have been getting stronger every week.

“They are the Chelsea of the League of Ireland. But we have no fear of playing them, we have played well against the top sides. It is when we played the lower teams that we struggled. We’re looking forward to playing Bohs.”

Waterford are due to play Cork City on Tuesday next at the RSC.