Sport

Kirby back for St Patrick's

FAI League of Ireland: Having missed last week's 0-0 draw with Drogheda United because of a hamstring strain, Roy O'Donovan …

Paul Buttner
Fri Jul 27 2007 - 01:00

FAI League of Ireland:Having missed last week's 0-0 draw with Drogheda United because of a hamstring strain, Roy O'Donovan is hoping to be fit to lead Cork City's attack at St Patrick's Athletic tonight. Strike partner John O'Flynn is out, also with a hamstring strain, though winger Liam Kearney should have recovered from a calf injury to make his return.

St Patrick's are still without knee injury victims Joseph Ndo, Gary O'Neill and Colm Foley while defender Stephen Paisley is a doubt having injured his back in Monday's draw with Shamrock Rovers. St Patrick's manager John McDonnell, who yesterday placed four players - Stephen Quigley, Michael Foley, David Mulcahy and Eamonn Lynch - on the transfer list, has midfielder Alan Kirby available following suspension.

Gerard Rowe has agreed a new contract with Shamrock Rovers until the end of the 2009 season.

"It shows the club has faith in me and I intend to repay them," said the striker ahead of tonight's trip to Sligo Rovers.

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Paul Shiels and captain Aidan Price remain out injured. Sligo are without the suspended Rafael Cretaro while both defender Jamie McKenzie and winger Brain Cash face late fitness tests.

Leaders Drogheda select from the same squad that drew 0-0 in Cork last Sunday for the visit of second bottom Waterford United to United Park.

Due to five players - Pat Flynn, Robbie Hedderman, Kenny Browne, Shane Harte and Alan Mulcahy - being suspended, and Karl Bermingham and Daryl Kavanagh facing late fitness tests, Waterford may have to draft in several under-21s.

Bray Wanderers also have major selection concerns ahead of the visit of bottom-of-the-table Longford Town to the Carlisle Grounds. Colm Tresson, Paul Dunphy, Paul Caffrey and Derek Tyrrell are injured while midfielder Mark Duggan serves a one-match suspension.

Longford manager Alan Matthews brings new signings Colm James and Seán Kelly into his squad while defender Kevin Doherty may finally be fit enough to start. Mark Rutherford, Ian Ryan and Daire Doyle remain out injured.

With captain Kevin Hunt suspended, Bohemians work from much of the same squad that drew 0-0 with Derry last Saturday for their trip to UCD. Striker Paul Byrne, midfielder Shane McFaul and defender Brain Shortall are out injured for UCD, though winger Shane Fitzgerald returns following injury.