Never treat Rovers lightly, says City boss
Pointing out that the struggling Dublin team have already beaten Shelbourne and Derry City this season, Richardson, an ex-Hoop himself, says: “They are always capable of rising to the occasion. One should never make the mistake of treating a Shamrock Rovers team lightly.”
Goalkeeper Mark McNulty is set to return to the first team after coming through 85 minutes of an U-21 cup game against the Kerry League during the week.
Richardson said he would see how the keeper came through training last night before making a final decision ahead of this evening’s game.
And there was a further easing of Cork’s recent goalkeeping crisis with the news that Michael Devine, who saw a specialist about his shoulder injury this week, has been told that he could return to action in three weeks time.
City will be without the suspended Roy O’Donovan this evening, while the club also learned yesterday that playmaker George O’Callaghan is set to miss the big August 12 game against Shelbourne, having picked up his fourth yellow card of the season last Sunday against Drogheda.
However, should Cork beat FK Ekranas in the UEFA Cup, the August 12 game against Shels would have to be re-arranged to another date, since Cork would be in action in the second qualifying round on August 11.
Meanwhile, the Shamrock Rovers 400 Club Trustees, who are on the verge of taking over the club pending High Court approval of the Examinership rescue plan, have given their backing to manager Roddy Collins who has been the subject of media rumours suggesting he might be leaving.
Said 400 Club chair Jonathan Roche: “The 400 Club Trustees have complete faith in Roddy’s ability to guide Rovers to Premier Division safety. If anyone is up to the job it has to be Roddy Collins.”
However, Collins, who has made no secret of how difficult he views the task of avoiding relegation, finds his team up against it in more ways than one, as they visit Turner’s Cross tonight.
The Hoops will be without Trevor Molloy and Willo McDonagh (both suspended) and Jason Gavin (foot), while Jason McGuinness (ankle) and Gavin McDonnell (knee) are doubtful. Better news for Rovers is that Brian Shelley has joined the club and is added to the squad, while Marc Kenny could also be registered in time to play.
Just two days after they beat Glentoran in the Champions’ League, Shelbourne are back in action against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds, in a game which could see former Irish international Curtis Fleming make his debut for Pat Fenlon’s men. Bray have injury doubts over Stephen Gifford, Keith Long and Graham O’Hanlon, while Derek Tyrell is ineligible under the terms of his loan move from the opposition. Kieran O’Brien is set to make a club record 274 appearances for Bray.
Derry City are at home to UCD, with the high-flying Candystripes looking to continue their fine from despite an injury list which now sees Eamon Doherty, likely to be out for three months, joining Eddie McCallion, Damien Brennan and Stephen O’Flynn on the sidelines.
For UCD, Damien Dupuy and Paul Byrne are still out but Robbie Martin is expected to recover from a thigh strain.
Bohemians, who have lost just once in their last ten games, face Drogheda United at Dalymount Park, with a possible debut appearance for Aiden O’Keefe, the new arrival from Pats.
Thomas Heary and David Bracken are definitely out for Bohs while Drogheda will again be without Shane Robinson and David Sullivan.
In Inchicore, St Patrick’s Athletic play host to Waterford United. New signing Sean O’Connor could make his debut for Pat’s but Keith Fahey (suspended) and Colm Foley (knee) are out.
The embattled Blues will be unchanged on a night they will bid farewell to caretaker manager Giles Cheevers, who’s off to take up a new footballing post in the U.S.
Meanwhile, the Chorus Sports Channel have agreed a non-exclusive highlights package with the FAI for league and cup games which will run until 2009. The channel, which is currently available in Munster and South Leinster, will broadcast highlights of up to 50 games a season.
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