Cork duo fail to travel for crunch Derry clash

AS A crucial week in the history of Cork City begins tonight with the Setanta Cup semi-final at Derry City (Brandywell, 8.05pm, Setanta Ireland), Alan Mathews has been struck a blow with two of his players failing to turn up yesterday for the trip north.

At stake this evening is a lucrative decider against Glentoran while on Thursday, it’ll be make-or-break time when club examiner Kieran McCarthy makes a long-awaited return to the High Court as the club’s future comes under scrutiny once again with the Revenue Commissioners — owed in the region of 360,000 — believed to be holding firm on their doubts over the future viability of the club.

And as if that wasn’t bad enough, a no-show yesterday afternoon by both Billy Woods, who is said to be contemplating retirement, and Alan O’Connor reduced Mathews’ depleted squad by another two players.

Captain Dan Murray and left back Danny Murphy return from suspension to bolster the manager’s options but Colin Healy (shoulder) and Cillian Lordan (knee) remain out. Goalkeeper Michael Devine is also forced out by medical advice following concussion and Denis Behan (shoulder) is struggling too.

Derry are themselves looking to react to a poor league result after going down 2-1 at Bray on Friday evening. Peter Hutton is still out with a hernia while Steven Gray and Kevin Deery are both suspended. Former Linfield striker Thomas Stewart is cup tied.

Meanwhile, in the eircom Premier Division, St Pat’s host Galway United at Richmond Park in a rescheduled fixture (7.45pm).

Galway are looking to extend their six-match unbeaten run but winger Jay O’Shea is on international duty with the Irish U21’s.

Pat’s will look to bounce back from a 3-0 defeat to Cobh and welcome back Derek O’Brien from suspension. Barry Ryan who injured his back on Friday is expected to return in goals while Mark Quigley is absent with ‘flu.