New Cork stars to debut against Sligo

Cork City travel to the Showgrounds to take on Sligo Rovers in tonight’s League of Ireland Premier Division clash, kick-off 8.00pm.

Tonight’s game is likely to mark debuts for a number of Cork’s starting eleven and it will also be new boss Paul Doolin’s first competitive game in charge.

City new boy Shane Duggan is the only absentee as he misses the game through suspension.

Doolin said: ‘The first game of the season is always difficult as everyone wants to get off to a good start.

‘Sligo are a good side and they showed that last season as they qualified for the UEFA Cup ahead of ourselves.

‘I think sometimes people forget that Sligo are a full-time club, so the top end of the table is where they should be. I think the main thing now is for us to concentrate on ourselves and look to get the season off to a good start.’

Rovers boss Paul Cook will have a new look back line: Chris Butler remains out as he recuperates from a car crash injury, Mauro Almeida is ruled out with ankle ligament problems, while regular right back last season, Seamus Coleman, has departed to Everton.

Otherwise, Cook has a full squad to choose from and will be confident of carrying on this season where Sligo left off last November.