Richardson aims to stay focused

Cork City v Sligo Rovers: Another big week for City starts this evening with their televised cup game against the first division leaders. Damien Richardson's side will be expected to win and could do with wrapping things up at the first attempt because a replay at the Showgrounds would do nothing to further their primary aim of finishing the season as league champions.

"We've got the Slavia Prague to come next Thursday and UCD in the league a few days after that," says Richardson, "but the important thing now is to stay focused on the game against Sligo. It's sort of natural at this stage of the season for players to get ahead of themselves and it's my task to ensure that they concentrate on the next game up."

Cork have Danny Murphy available again after suspension which leaves Richardson needing only to make a straight swap at left back. Elsewhere, he must decide whether to bring Alan Bennett back into central defence, make changes in midfield or start with top scorer John O'Flynn, who is said to be carrying a slight knock. He is not, it seems safe to say, short of options.

Sligo's Seán Connor has a few, too, but says he will put his faith in the players who have helped Rovers to the top of the first division. "I wouldn't view it as any sort of dress rehearsal for next season because if we do go up I'd be looking to bring in a few players, but it's a great opportunity for the lads to show what they can do on television. We won't be going down there to defend, that's for certain. We'll look to make a game of it."