Richardson has Cork all at sea

DAMIEN RICHARDSON has news for those who might like to think that the life of a professional footballer is all fun and games.

Says the Cork City manager: "I was down on the beach in Fountainstown last Monday in a howling wind with George O'Callaghan, Neal Horgan, Joe Gamble and Danny Murphy, all nursing horrific ankle injuries from the game with Drogheda. And we were out knee-deep in the sea because I'm a great believer in the recuperative powers of the sea. We were out there like five lunatics - the old ladies sitting in their cars must have thought we were absolutely mad."

When informed that there was once a famously eccentric Cork band called Five Go Down To The Sea, Richardson chuckles and suggests: "The noises we were making in the sea could be akin to a bad rock band."

The need to rub salt water in the wounds is in part a recognition, says Richardson, of the sometimes harsh new realities which come with having to defend a league title.

"Already I've noticed a difference in the ways that some teams are playing against us," he says. "There's much more effort, in every sense, and they can have a very physical approach to the game. It's something we have to see not only as a threat but also as a compliment. It's an attempt to try to knock us off the style of football we play but we've got to not be influenced by that negativity and keep believing in the principle of playing the game our way. But by the same token we have to be even more mindful of our behaviour."

The latter point has particular relevance ahead of tonight's eircom League Premier Division game against Bohemians at Turner's Cross (kick-off 8.05pm, RTÉ 2), since Cork will be without Roy O'Donovan following his sending-off against Drogheda. And the winger is also set to miss the next two games in the Setanta Cup following a red card in that competition.

"Roy has been both victim and perpetrator," says his manager. "He's received a lot of tough, physical attention because he's such a good player - but he's responded in the wrong way. In professional football the retaliator gets the punishment, and quite rightly. In Drogheda last week, he reacted petulantly and got sent off, and is paying for it. And he's also paying for being sent off in the Setanta Cup - not only because he's going to miss the next two games but because I fined him two weeks' wages as well."

As a result of an accumulation of yellow cards stretching back to last season, Billy Woods is also out of tonight's game. Striker John O'Flynn, who came off early as a precaution in the Setanta Cup win over Portadown, is fit to play but George O'Callaghan, struggling with a gash on the instep, didn't train during the week and is considered a doubt, although Richardson allows that, as ever, the midfield maestro is determined to play. Meanwhile, ex-Waterford United player Vinny O' Sullivan will be on the bench.

"He's a good addition," says Richardson of the new signing. "The boys liked what they saw in training. It's very important that whoever does come in gains the immediate respect of the players."

For their part, tonight's visitors to Turner's Cross will be keen to get at least one point on the board to help kick-start their season.

"Bohs will be aiming to eradicate the two defeats so far," says Richardson. "That's when you find teams are at their most dangerous. Bohs have some very good players and they will be a very severe test for us. But if we perform the way we can, then we can win the game. Generally, I'm delighted with our start. Against Dublin City we were scintillating for half an hour. Against Portadown for the first half we were very good. You don't expect to get the full performance this early in the season. In fact, you'd be worried if you peaked too early. It's a gradual process of improvement. Maybe after nine or ten games you'll really see how everyone is situated."

In other games tonight, St. Patrick's Athletic, currently sharing top spot on four points with Cork and Drogheda, entertain a Shelbourne side looking to improve on two points out of six, while the first northwest derby of the season will see Derry City attempting to bounce back at home to newcomers Sligo Rovers.

Elsewhere, Dublin City play host to Drogheda United at Dalymount Park, Bray Wanderers entertain Longford Town at the Carlisle Grounds, and Waterford United meet UCD at the RSC. With the exception of the Cork-Bohs game, all tonight's Premier Division games have a 7.45pm kick-off.

Eircom League Premier Division Fixtures:

Tonight: Cork City v Bohemians, Turners Cross, 8:05. Bray Wanderers v Longford Town, Carlisle Grounds, 7:45. Derry City v Sligo Rovers, Brandywell, 7:45. Dublin City v Drogheda United, Dalymount Park, 7:45. St Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne, Richmond Park, 7:45. Waterford United v UCD, RSC, 7:45.

First Division: Tonight: Shamrock Rovers v Galway United, Tolka Park, 7:45. Limerick FC v Monaghan United, Hogan Park, 7:30. Tomorrow: Finn Harps v Kilkenny City, Ballybofey, 8:00. Cobh Ramblers v Athlone Town, St Colman's Park, 7:45.