Mahon looks to tighten St Patrick's defence as Cork pose first test

SOCCER LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: HAVING EXPRESSED satisfaction with the way his new players reacted to working with him on the training ground for the first time, Pete Mahon will get a better idea tonight of the scale of the job he has taken on at St Patrick's Athletic when Cork City arrive at Richmond Park for the new manager' first match in charge.

With only safety and a bit of respectability to play for, Mahon’s immediate task is to tighten up the defence and start winning games at home. “We’ve done all we can in a short space of time to prepare for this match,” said Mahon yesterday. “Playing Cork is never easy but we’ll go into it in a positive frame of mind.”

The fact that it’s City means a renewal of Mahon’s old rivalry with Paul Doolin whose own focus is on salvaging something of a season that has produced almost as much drama in the High Court as it has on the pitch.

“It’s been tough,” says Doolin, “but the players have been fantastic and have shown great resilience and great mental strength. The run-in will be tough, but we will be going up there looking to claim a win and if we could qualify for Europe it would be a fantastic achievement.”

Like Jeff Kenna before him, Mahon has some injury problems to contend with. Garrett O’Connor, Dave Partridge and Andy Harran are all definitely out while Jamie Harris is unlikely to be fit enough despite returning to training this week. Doolin has doubts about Dan Murray, Greg O’Halloran, Stephen O’Donnell and Neal Horgan but Kevin Long should return.

Bray take on Drogheda United at the Carlisle Grounds where, Alan Mathews acknowledges, “a win could give one of the sides the impetus to push on during the next few weeks”.

Bray are without Gary McCabe (suspended) while Paul Byrne remains out long term and Derek Foran is doubtful with a groin strain. Mathews has Paul Shiels suspended but Eoghan Osborne returns while Alan McNally, Robbie Clarke, James Chambers and William Woods are all available again having served bans.

Dundalk have Liam Burns, Michael Daly and Darren Mansaram back from suspension for the visit of Galway but Mickey Collins is suspended. Galway United’s Shane Guthrie serves a ban while Cian McBride, Dave Cooke, Jason Molloy and Seán Kelly all return having done their time. Iarfhlaith Davoren will be out for several weeks, though, after pulling a hamstring in training.