League of Ireland News and previews:Just a matter of months after signing for Galway United from Mayo League side Claremorris and within weeks of establishing himself as a first-team regular at Terryland Park, 24-year-old striker Derek Glynn was yesterday named as the Eircom/Soccer Writers' Association of Ireland player of the month for June.
Glynn made a terrific start to the month, scoring twice as United beat St Patrick's Athletic in what was only his third competitive start. Having bagged two in the win over Longford in late May, he maintained his run with three more against Finn Harps and Shamrock Rovers to leave him on seven goals from six starts going into this evening's league game against Cork City.
"When I heard that I had won the award, I thought I was Galway's Player of the Month," he said yesterday. "To be picked as the best in the whole league is an honour.
"Moving to Galway United was a huge step up for me. At Claremorris, we were a junior team. We weren't even in the First Division of the Mayo League. But I was scoring 20 to 30 goals in a 16-game league season plus Cup games, and I thought I could do it in the Premier Division."
United boss Tony Cousins expressed delight yesterday with the way in which Glynn has coped and also with the fact the award had been won by a Galway player for the first time since Paul McGee picked it up in 1986. "Since starting he has been brilliant for us," said Cousins, "and his goals speak for themselves. I'm delighted because it's a long time since a Galway United player won a player of the month and it shows that the club is going the right way, doing the right things."
Cork City arrive needing to put the disappointment of Saturday's Intertoto Cup draw with Hammarby behind them. They led early on but couldn't drive the advantage home and face a difficult return leg.
Damien Richardson will be without Brian O'Callaghan (groin), Darragh Ryan (abdominal muscle strain) and Joe Gamble (back) this evening, while Seán Kelly (ankle) is doubtful after struggling in training yesterday.
At Tolka Park, meanwhile, Shamrock Rovers will take on Waterford United without Paul Shiels, Eric McGill, Aidan Price, Barry Murphy or Derek Pender. John Martin should be cleared in time to be added to the squad after his arrival from Longford, while Dean Lawrence and recent-arrival Dave Tyrell face late fitness tests due to hamstring problems.
"They're very physical, a strong side, and if you don't play to your full potential against them you'll have problems," says Pat Scully of the visitors. "They'd a great win last Friday against Saint Patrick's Athletic and we know that we'll have to perform really well against them if we're going to get the three points. Having said that, we are playing really well at the moment."
United have Alan Mulcahy (ankle) and Shane Harte (groin) sidelined while Daryl Kavanagh is doubtful due to a stomach bug.
Dundalk have confirmed the signing of under-21 international James Hand who was released by Huddersfield Town at the end of last season. The 20-year-old, who can play at left back, wide or in the centre of midfield, is described as the "last piece in the jigsaw", by manager John Gill.
