City need ‘rub of the green’ to register first win of season

CORK CITY are still in search of their first win of the season as they take on Portadown in Group 2 of the Setanta Cup at Turner’s Cross tonight (7.45).

Manager Damien Richardson feels that his side haven’t enjoyed the ‘rub of the green’ so far, but, after four competitive outings, accepts that it’s time performance was matched with result.

“This is a big game for us,” he says. “Above and beyond doing well in the Setanta Cup itself, we want to get a win. Especially for the sake of the lads who I feel haven’t gotten their just desserts so far. What I don’t want is any of them harbouring doubts. I want to see a progressive performance and then the win should come.”

Long time injury concern John O’Flynn will start tonight after being taken off after an hour in the scoreless draw against Galway United.

“We had agreed that he would only play for an hour, irrespective of what the scoreline was,” says Richardson. “We didn’t want to ask too much of him too soon but I’m delighted to say he’s looking very good now.”

Richardson has other worries for the game against Portadown, however. Colin O’ Brien is definitely out with a hamstring problem and Liam Kearney is doubtful with an ankle injury. Brian O’Callaghan is still out with a groin tear while Joe Gamble is suspended.

And, of course, big signings Colin Healy and Gareth Farrelly have yet to kick a ball in anger for their new club, though Richardson is hopeful that clearance for the two players will arrive from FIFA this week after a “surreal” start to Cork’s season.

Meanwhile, Portadown are keeping their fingers crossed that goalkeeper Kevin Pressman will be fit after he picked up a calf strain in the pre-match warm-up before Saturday’s shock 2-0 defeat by Dungannon Swifts in the Carnegie League. However, Keith O’Hara is a major doubt because of an ankle injury and Richard Clarke is suspended. But tigerish midfielder Michael Collins is available despite an Irish League ban.

Assistant Manager Kieran Harding acknowledges that, after the setback against Dungannon – which has left the club 11 points off the pace in the Carnegie League — the Setanta Cup is now Portadown’s last realistic chance of silverware this season.

“We have a game in hand on Linfield but it is going to be difficult now in the league, although we will keep battling,” he says. “We need to rebuild a bit of confidence and hopefully we can start by producing a good performance against Cork.”

Both City and Portadown go into tonight’s clash with one point each from two games.

In Group 1, tonight’s televised Setanta game at Windsor Park sees Linfield playing host to Derry City (8.05). Both sides are on four points.

For the Blues, three points clear at the top of the Irish League, Steven Douglas and Michael Gault are suspended and Tim Mouncey is doubtful with flu but Tim McCann is fit again.

Linfield manager David Jeffrey rotates his squad with the result that Oran Kearney, Kris Lindsey, Gregg Shannon and Stephen Garrett all come back into the reckoning.

Says Jeffrey: “I believe Drogheda and Derry are favourites to progress from this group and as we are going for glory in three competitions, I have to make a few changes.”

Derry boss Pat Fenlon, who serves a touchline ban tonight, is likely to be without the injured Pat McCourt.