City sweat on O’Flynn for daunting Linfield clash

CORK CITY are keeping their fingers crossed that John O’ Flynn will be fit for tonight’s Setanta Cup semi-final against Linfield at Windsor Park (8.05pm, live on Setanta Sports).

The striker, who strained a thigh muscle in shooting practice, was rested for Friday’s 2-2 draw with Drogheda, but with Roy O’Donovan suspended for tonight’s game, Damien Richardson was hoping O’Flynn would come safely through a training session in Dundalk en route to Belfast yesterday.

“We’re sweating a little bit on John,” the City boss admitted. “Ideally we need him to replace Roy. So we’ll give him every chance to prove himself before the game.”

O’Donovan, who picked up the yellow card which rules him out of the game after coming off the bench in the final group match against Dungannon Swifts, continued his fine form for Cork with a brace in the 2-2 draw with Drogheda United in United Park on Friday.

Richardson says he was “delighted” with the quality of his side’s performance against the Drogs but disappointed that they didn’t take all three points. “It’s a pity that game wasn’t on television,” he added, “because it was played at a great tempo and showed the quality we have in this new side we’re building.”

Linfield, the augural winners of the Setanta Cup, go into tonight’s game as newly-crowned Irish League champions and cup finalists, having beaten Lisburn Distillery 4-1 in the semi-final last week. “It took them until extra time to do it,” notes Richardson, who attended the match. “It just confirmed once again that they have perfected the art of winning and have a great fighting spirit.”

Manager David Jeffrey rested several players in Saturday’s 1-0 league win over Crusaders but still has a number of injury concerns, most notably in the somewhat bizarre case of Peter Thompson who is definitely out of the game against Cork. The striker’s problem began with a blistered foot which turned septic, and the infection has spread up his leg, leaving the player on crutches and a diet of antibiotics.

Returning against Cork will be central defenders Noel Bailie and William Murphy, midfielders Paul McAreavey and Tom Stewart, as well as strikers Mark Dickson and the veteran Glenn Ferguson.

Said Jeffrey, fresh from leading the Blues to a record 48th Irish League title: “Cork are a big, strong powerful side and it will not be an easy game for us. But having already won the Irish League and the side through to next Saturday’s Irish FA Cup final against Dungannon Swifts, we have every incentive to go for a win.”

Richardson describes the prospect of playing in Windsor Park as “a daunting challenge” but also “a special occasion.” A big fan of the Setanta Cup, Richardson says he has enjoyed crossing the border with Cork and experiencing first hand the deep sense of tradition and history — and hospitality — of the Irish League clubs.

That said, he anticipates an “intimidating” atmosphere in Windsor Park, and a real test for his players if they are to make it to the final — and a chance to reverse last year’s defeat by Setanta Cup holders Drogheda United.

“Ironically, that game was probably our best performance of the tournament last year,” Richardson said, “so the chance to try and make up for the result is another incentive for us tonight. But just getting to a cup final is always enough incentive in itself.”