TWO WONDERFUL goals in the 5-1 defeat of champions Shamrock Rovers having gone some way towards his being named Airtricity/Soccer Writers’ Association of Ireland Player of the Month for April, Chris Forrester spoke yesterday of how he’s simply enjoying his football.
And should any offer come in from a cross-channel club, well, he’ll take that in his stride.
For now, the 19-year-old attacking midfielder is just focusing on helping St Patrick’s Athletic maintain their promising start to the season against Cork.
On the growing interest from Britain, Forrester spoke of his ambition to play at the top level.
“It’s a dream of mine since I was a kid. It would be great for my family as well if I could do them proud, it would be a great achievement,” he said.
Forrester’s technical flair in an attacking role wide on the right of a 4-3-3 system fits well with how St Patrick’s manager Liam Buckley wants his team to play their passing, attacking game.
“It’s been brilliant, Liam just drills that into you – keep passing, pass and move and it’s really helping us this season. We’re playing attractive football and it’s going well,” added Forrester who hails from Smithfield in Dublin.
Buckley has some problems in midfield tonight for the visit of Cork City to Richmond Park. Mark Rossiter, who had just come in for the injured James Chambers (knee), suffered a damaged cruciate knee ligament last week, and Greg Bolger is suspended. Pat Flynn is thus poised for his first league start since joining the club.
Cork, who’ve won three of their last four league games, wait on captain Dan Murray who is a doubt with a stomach muscle injury. Shane O’Connor, Jamie Murphy, Stephen Mulcahy, Kevin Murray and Neal Horgan remain out while John Dunleavy continues to struggle with a knee injury. Fellow defender Gavin Kavanagh is missing due to college exams.
A hamstring injury deprives Bohemians of their captain Owen Heary for the visit of Drogheda United to Dalymount Park. Midfielder Ryan McEvoy hopes to be passed fit following a groin injury.
With Brennan brothers, Ryan and Gavin, returning having missed the defeat to Sligo Rovers last week with ’flu, Drogheda report a full squad to pick from.
UCD are without injured quartet goalkeeper Ger Barron, Chris Mulhall, Seán Russell and Tomas Boyle for the visit of Shelbourne while Dundalk welcome captain Chris Shields back from suspension for the visit of a full-strength Bray to Oriel Park.
(7.45 unless stated)
PREMIER DIVISION
Bohemians v Drogheda United
Home: 6/4 Draw: 11/5 Away: 7/4
Dundalk v Bray Wanderers
Home: 15/8 Draw: 11/5 Away: 7/5
St Patrick’s Athletic v Cork City
Home: 8/11 Draw: 12/5 Away: 4/1
UCD v Shelbourne
Home: 11/5 Draw: 11/5 Away: 6/5
FIRST DIVISION
Athlone Town v Mervue United
Home: 10/11 Draw: 11/5 Away: 11/4
SD Galway v Limerick
Home: 9/1 Draw: 4/1 Away 1/4
Waterford United v Longford Town
Home: 6/4 Draw: 11/5 Away: 8/5
Wexford Youths v Finn Harps (8.0)
Home: 21/10 Draw: 9/4 Away: 9/4
* Betting courtesy of Paddy Power
