Doolin waits on injured

Setanta Cup Previews: Paul Doolin adds a handful of players to his Drogheda United squad for this evening's Setanta Cup trip…

Setanta Cup Previews: Paul Doolin adds a handful of players to his Drogheda United squad for this evening's Setanta Cup trip to Cork but it is not clear whether he will make any changes to the side that beat Dungannon last week for what will be an early-season encounter between last season's FAI Cup finalists.

"I have James Keddy, Paul Keegan and Glen Fitzpatrick coming back from problems," says Doolin, "Shane Barrett is available (after signing from Longford Town) but we'll see how we are on the night because a few the lads are still recovering from knocks and we might settle for getting them on to the bench."

Doolin was pleased with the performance against the Irish League outfit with United coming away with three points against a physically strong and very determined side.

"I wouldn't say that they were the greatest side we've ever played but they were very well organised and knew what they'd come to do. They gave us a tough test and we came through it although I suspect things will be that much harder again down at Turner's Cross."

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City should have Michael Devine in goal again despite his apparent problems with a knee injury during last week's draw in Portadown. If he is struggling, however, Mark McNulty will step in having served the suspension that was hanging over him from last season's competition.

Damien Richardson should have his full squad of outfield players to select from with young Australian Paul Connell added to the panel after signing for the club last week.

Shane McCabe, meanwhile, is likely to go straight back into the Dungannon starting line-up against Portadown after missing Saturday's 2-2 draw with Ballymena through suspension.

Manager Joe McAree could start with the same side that played in Drogheda where he was pleased with the performance but disappointed by the defeat.

"We did all right there and I thought that after the way we performed in the second half we were unlucky not to come away with something," he says.

Following a 2-1 win at Ards over the weekend, their opponents add Gary Hamilton to their squad from the Cork City game.

Setanta Cup Fixtures

Today: Group One: Cork City v Drogheda Utd, 7.45pm.
Dungannon Swifts v Portadown, 7.45pm.

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone

Emmet Malone is Work Correspondent at The Irish Times