Monaghan boss Browne warns Cork to prepare for a shock result
“This is one of those games people might expect to produce a surprise result. Our attitude is we have one shot and we have to do it on the day as I would not expect too much from a replay if we have to go to Cork.”
Browne can look back on a wealth of experience with a succession of clubs in the Dublin area as player but he admitted he still felt vulnerable ahead of this game because of injury worries.
“It does not augur well for us,” he admitted while listing Trevor Vaughan, Darren McKenna, Michael Scully, Eddie Myedrs and Declan Feely.
He said: “This is the last thing we need because we have just been getting a run together. Apart from injuries we had Graham Doyle come back from holidays in Rome with an ear infection that meant he had to go to hospital so I’m just hoping that we’ll have half of those fellows fit for the game.”
Cork City’s Liam Murphy was in a better position for while their leading goal-scorer John O’Flynn had to receive treatment after twisting his ankle against Derry City and Alan Reynolds was troubled by a knee injury he expects both to be fit.
He hopes to send the team out as they were at the start of the match against Derry when Greg O’Halloran fitted in well on the right of midfield. “He played wide right in underage football and is a very experienced player. He played for Ireland at U21 level and can do a job in several positions.” O’Halloran is one of those players who are playing full-time with Cork. The others are Conor O’Grady, James Mulligan, George O’Callaghan, John O’Flynn and goalkeeper Michael Devine. Cork are keen to increase the number they have operating as full-time professionals.
Meanwhile, Monaghan are keen to put one over their premier division rivals even if promotion must be their principal aim this season. “That’s where you want to be if you play in the National league,” said manager Browne, “you play on the best pitches, you have better facilities and it is a better level of football so every player must have ambitions of getting into the premier division. A good Cup run can help a club like ours that is struggling from week-to-week because it creates cash-flow and can build confidence.”
Cobh Ramblers embark on a similar mission to Monaghan but in more challenge conditions because they must face Shamrock Rovers at Tolka Park. Manager Dave Hill’s team selection plans are hampered by the absence of captain Mark Clifford, who is suspended, while Jason Kabia is unavailable.
Recent losses to Limerick and Kilkenny City have set Cobh back. They can expect Shamrocks to be smarting after their heavy loss in Europe during the week. Hill said: “We’ll set out to win as we always do and we’ll play to the best of our ability but you have to accept that anything other than a defeat would be a very welcome result.”
Yet another Cup match with the potential to produce a ‘David and Goliath’ story is that in which Fairview Rangers play Finn Harps in Limerick.
After shocking Dublin City in the previous round, Fairview expect a big attendance hopeful of seeing a repeat this time round.
Said chairman Eamonn Heffernan: “We can cater for up to 4,000 people at Fairgreen and if the weather is kind then we expect a big crowd. We will make it a good enjoyable day for those people who show up.”
Fairview Rangers is a thriving nursery for emerging talent and with four FAI Junior Cup wins since 1997 their attention to under-age players has produced a marvellous dividend. Their back four defenders, for example, enjoy an average age of 20 and Fairview expect their two centre-backs, the tall Brian Buckley, and John Fitzgerald, to form the backbone of their team for a long time to come.
Their FAI Junios Cup success last season drew attention to winger Ross Cosgrove who was recruited by Waterford at the end of the season.
Paul Harmon has taken over his role with great success and together with Colm Heffernan, provides Fairview with pace and punching power down the flanks.
A surprise is not beyond the bounds of possibility.
The withdrawal of Manchester United’s John O’Shea from Ireland’s U21 team travelling to Finland next week has opened a window of opportunity for Jason McGuinness of Bohemians. McGuinness recently played for the League’s representative team against Celtic and his good form caused Ireland’s U21 manager, Don Givens, to call him up for a match against Finland’s U21 on Tuesday in Helsinki.
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