Super-sub O’Brien is due a first team start

CORK CITY’S teenage striker, Colin P O’Brien, is set to end a long sequence of substitute appearances by starting in Sunday’s critical eircom League tie against Drogheda United at Turner’s Cross (3.15pm).

O'Brien's last 23 appearances for City's first team were as substitute surely qualifying for entry to the Guinness Book of Records. But recent events make a compelling case for a starting place against Drogheda.

If they win, Cork will finish third and clinch a place in the Inter-Toto Cup. That would surely mark a significant achievement for manager Pat Dolan in his first year in office. However, Cork have struggled for results lately. The principal reason is lack of goals. This is why O'Brien, a native of Ballydehob in West Cork, is due a start. When Cork beat St Pats in the semi-final of the National U21 League last week he scored all four goals as Cork took another step towards retaining a title they won last season.