City chase seventh straight win
Pats’ draw at home to Shamrock Rovers last Monday has given their hosts added incentive in what is becoming an exciting title fight and this is the first of a run of three games in the space of a week for City, but manager Alan Mathews is taking the positives from the fixture list facing his side.
“It is a busy schedule but I am not complaining as having so many games means we are doing well, and the only thing we can do is take each game on its own merits,” he said. “We go into the game on Sunday on the back of a good run, and we need to maintain that.”
John O’Flynn is reported to be making good progress from his ankle injury, but the striker still faces another couple of weeks on the sideline. Otherwise, Alan Mathews should have a full squad to choose from as Joe Gamble returns from suspension. Mathews expects the Inchicore team to provide the stiffest of tests in Sunday’s big game.
“St. Pat’s have set the standard this year, and have been the team to catch for most of the season so far,” he said. “Going into the weekend’s action, they are topping the Premier Division table, and they are there on merit.”
City captain Dan Murray reflected on the previous game between the sides this season, which saw Pats claim a late win despite a stirring Cork comeback in Richmond Park. Said Murray: “We did really well to come back from two down against them in the last game, but they then hit us with a sucker punch at the death. We can take heart from the way we came back into that game, but we really don’t want to give ourselves a mountain to climb like that again on Sunday.”
For Pats, new signing from Drogheda United, Jason Gavin, goes straight into squad for the game in Cork. Gavin completed his move from the league champions this week and according to his new manager John McDonnell, the former Ireland Under 21 defender will be a good addition.
“Jason is the next grade up of player from what was around the league a few years ago,” he said. “He’s coming from the league champions and he’s played Premiership football.”
No less than his counterpart Alan Mathews, McDonnell expects a challenging game on Leeside.
“Both teams try and play good football and our home game against them was a cracker.,” he said. “Hopefully we’ll have more of the same but the most important thing is for us to get something out of it.’’
New signing Derek O’Brien (knee) and defender Stephen Paisley (groin) limped out of Monday night’s draw with Shamrock Rovers. Both have sat out training this week but should be available for selection. Joe O’Cearuill has completed his recovery from a knee injury, taking a full part in training all week.
Noel Haverty (ankle) is definitely out but McDonnell hopes to have Gary O’Neill back from a groin injury to replace suspended Mark Quigley.
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