Sport

Hawkins in line to make his debut

SPORTING FINGAL’S new signing Colin Hawkins will hope that having his car stolen on his first night back in Dublin will be the…

PAUL BUTTNER
Fri Jul 09 2010 - 01:00

SPORTING FINGAL’S new signing Colin Hawkins will hope that having his car stolen on his first night back in Dublin will be the end of his recent misfortunes. Injury has prevented him from playing since last September but an operation to repair a slight tear to an Achilles tendon was eventually performed by a top surgeon in Sweden and he is fit and raring to go again.

With Stephen Paisley leaving the club manager Liam Buckley moved quickly to sign the 32-year-old. He may start in tonight’s visit to Bray as Shaun Maher is injured. Midfielder Shane McFaul (hamstring) and striker Gary O’Neill (groin) won’t be risked.

Bottom side Bray wait on striker Shane O’Neill who has an ankle injury. Defender Colm Tresson and midfielder Stephen Brennan, who suffered calf injuries in Galway on Monday night, are out.

St Patrick’s Athletic will channel their discontent at losing their leadership of the table to Shamrock Rovers on Monday into regaining it by beating UCD at Richmond Park. Apart from long-term injured Gareth Coughlan (broken leg) and fringe defender Neil Harney (ankle), St Patrick’s have a full squad available.

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UCD are without Greg Bolger who aggravated a groin injury in Monday’s defeat to Bohemians. Midfielder Robbie Creevy returns from injury but Peter McMahon has joined Drogheda United.

Champions Bohemians, unbeaten in six league games, travel to Drogheda United with Jason Byrne fit again but he will do well to start ahead of Raffaele Cretaro and Paddy Madden. Winger Killian Brennan is suspended while injuries continue to keep Steven Gray, Anthony Murphy and Aaron Greene sidelined.

Drogheda caretaker manager Darius Kierans adds new signings, midfielders Peter McMahon and Darren Meenan, to his squad. Garreth O’Connor is suspended.

New signing Jim Lauchlan could be set for his home debut for Sligo Rovers, in place of suspended defender Alan Keane, as they host Galway United at the Showgrounds. Suspension rules prominent midfielder Stephen O’Donnell out of Galway’s plans.

Tonight's Fixtures(7.45 unless stated) Premier Division– Bray Wanderers v Sporting Fingal, Drogheda United v Bohemians, St Patrick's Athletic v UCD, Sligo Rovers v Galway United. First Division– Cork City v Shelbourne, Derry City v Wexford Youths, Limerick v Salthill Devon, Mervue United v Longford Town, Waterford United v Monaghan United.