Cork City may have to break up strike partnership

Cork City may have to break up their in-form strike partnership of Kevin Doyle and John O’Flynn for tonight’s title showdown with Shelbourne at Tolka Park (7.45pm).

The pair have between them scored 21 goals with 10 coming from them since September 23 as City have closed the gap on eircom League leaders Shels to just four points heading into tonight’s top-of-the-table clash.

Irish U21 striker Doyle is suffering from a virus and could miss out tonight. Oswald Lopes also has a virus and there is also a doubt over George O’Callaghan, who has a calf injury but is expected to pass fit.

If he does not, Colin O’Brien could return to the midfield for the first time since dislocating his shoulder against Shamrock Rovers early last month.

Shels’ midfield will be boosted by the return of former Leesider Ollie Cahill and Stuart Byrne from suspensions, while manager Pat Fenlon will be back on the bench, having served his two-match sideline ban.

The statistics point to a fascinating encounter at Tolka tonight with Cork having the tighter defence, conceding four less goals than their rivals so far this season, but Shels being more prolific in front of goal having scored seven more than the Leesiders. And of the attacking partnerships, Shels’ Jason Byrne and Glen Fitzpatrick have hit 24 and eight respectively to outshoot City's O'Flynn and Doyle.