Richardson seeks a winning return

After scraping into the second round of the Uefa Cup on Thursday, Premier Division leaders Cork City are back in domestic action…

After scraping into the second round of the Uefa Cup on Thursday, Premier Division leaders Cork City are back in domestic action tomorrow when they face St Patrick's Athletic at Richmond Park (Kick off 3:0pm).

On Thursday, Cork lost 1-0 to Lithuanians Ekranas but won 2-1 on aggregate to go through, and they will be hoping not to suffer the traditional slip up on their return to Ireland.

Cork manager Damien Richardson said: "We showed after the first leg that we can win when we come back from Europe so I think Pat's will be forewarned that we can come back to domestic action and win.

"It's going to be a tough game but being top of the League means you are always there to be knocked off by other sides."

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Richardson has a near full-strength team with Michael Devine (shoulder) and Roy O'Donovan (suspended) the only absentees while St Patrick's will give Alan Reilly his debut.

Elsewhere, Shamrock Rovers manager Roddy Collins must wait and find out if any players avail of their free transfers before selecting a side for tomorrow's game against Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds (Kick off 3:0pm).

At the moment, Collins does not know if Pat McCourt, Jason McGuinness (both talking to Bohemians), Jason Gavin (Drogheda United), Keith Doyle (UCD), Dave Mooney (Longford Town), Barry Murphy (Limerick) and Willo McDonagh (Leeds United) will be available.

Bray will be without striker Barry McGrory, who is sitting exams while midfielder Paul Caffrey (knee) faces a late fitness test.

In tomorrow's other game, Drogheda United will give debuts to new signings Paul Keegan, Paul Bernard and Keith Fahey while Longford Town will be at full strength when the two sides meet at United Park (Kick off 3:0pm).