City are ready to pounce, says Rico
With one game to go, the task facing Cork is simple; beat Derry City to lift the trophy or watch their opponents claim the League for themselves. But despite Derry appearing to have the advantage, Richardson believes the fact that either a win or a draw will do them could mean they fall between two stools, and his Cork City side will be ready to seize their opportunity.
“The pressure is on Derry City. They’re coming down here having lost twice already this season without scoring a goal and they’ve a difficult choice to make,” he claimed.
“If they go for the win, they could get accused of being naïve, but if they play for the draw and slip up, people will say they should have played their normal game.
“I know it can be difficult because I had the same problem with Shelbourne in ‘98 when we went to Dundalk on the last day and we ended up losing the League.
“I am much happier that we go into the game knowing exactly what we need and can prepare accordingly.”
But despite his claims that it is Derry under pressure, the expectancy on Leeside has put a lot of stress on Cork, though the City boss believes it is manageable pressure.
“The mood here reminds me of the best times in England when it was one city, one club and the expectancy broke through the stratosphere. We could have sold out the game three times, maybe four times over.
“But I think it all comes down to how everyone adapts to the expectancy. I’ve been very impressed by how focused the players are on the job. I gave them the option of playing golf in Lee Valley and they said they wanted to train instead. All the players are concentrating on Friday’s game and preparing for it in the best way we can.”
John O’Flynn is Cork’s only injury doubt with a groin problem though he took part in training yesterday morning and will travel to Dublin today in the hope of getting the nod to step up his training from a specialist.
Even if not given the all clear, Richardson is prepared to give his star striker as long as possible to prove his fitness and he admitted that he would be more inclined to risk O’Flynn this week with a two-week break to the FAI Cup final than he was last week.
“I didn’t risk John last week because it (the League title) was always going to the last day. But with two weeks to go before the Cup final, of course that enters your head but at the moment, we’re hoping that John is given the all clear.
“I think the only thing we missed against Shelbourne was experience in front of goal and John would have given us that.
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