WITH CORK City owner Tom Coughlan confident the club won’t be playing their last game tonight as they face a winding up petition from the Revenue Commissioners in the High Court on Monday, manager Paul Doolin has praised his league leaders for how quickly they’ve gelled into a winning team.
The club are believed to owe the revenue around €200,000, but Coughlan has allayed the fears of supporters, players and staff by insisting he can negotiate a settlement and that this evening’s game at Bray Wanderers won’t be their last.
Despite the off-the-field uncertainty, effectively there since the start of the season, Doolin’s achievement, and the focus of his players, in going three points clear at the top of the table is all the more commendable. Cork are unbeaten in nine league games, eight of which they’ve won.
“We’ve only been together four months and people are still getting to know each other and getting used to working with each other,” said Doolin. “In any league, to have 25 points out of a possible 27 is fantastic and we are really pleased with our form.”
Left back Danny Murphy returns from suspension, tough midfielder Stephen O’Donnell, sent off for dissent on his return from a long injury lay-off last week, is now banned.
Defender Neal Horgan (elbow), wingers Davin O’Neill (ankle) and Billy Dennehy (hamstring), along with midfielder Shane Duggan (ankle) all remain out injured.
Bray, who have slumped back into the relegation zone after two defeats, continue without right back Derek Pender, who injured his ankle in the meeting between the sides almost two months ago.
Striker Glen Crowe, who pulled a hamstring late in the first half of their 2-1 defeat at Shamrock Rovers last week, is added to champions Bohemians’ injured list of Gary Deegan and Joseph Ndo, also afflicted with hamstring injuries, as they hope to recover from two defeats when hosting bottom of the table Drogheda United at Dalymount Park. Defender Stephen McGuinness begins his five-match suspension for racial abuse.
Drogheda, who’ve taken four points from their last two games, have no injuries or suspensions, though midfielders John Paul Kelly and Mark Duggan have left the club by mutual agreement.
Ger O’Brien returns at right back after a month out with a hamstring injury for Derry City, who host Shamrock Rovers at the Brandywell. Manager Stephen Kenny must still rejig his defence, though, as Mark McChrystal is suspended and central defender Clive Delaney (hip) is not yet fit. Midfielder Gareth McGlynn (hamstring) is also out.
“I’ve been quite impressed with Rovers this season, they have a lot of skilful players and are in the top four on merit,” said Kenny.
Rovers are without captain Shane Robinson (hamstring) and central defender Seán Webb (back), though left back Ian Bermingham may make the squad following a calf injury.
Tonight’s fixtures
(7.45 unless stated)
LEAGUE OF IRELAND – Premier Division: Bohemians v Drogheda Utd (Live on Setanta Ireland); Bray Wanderers v Cork City; Derry City v Shamrock Rovers; Dundalk v St Patrick’s Athletic. First Division: Limerick FC v UCD; Monaghan Utd v Longford Town (8.0); Sporting Fingal v Waterford Utd; Wexford Youths v Shelbourne (8.0).
