Cork City annoyed at Longford’s lack of co-operation on fixture
Cork City annoyed at Longford’s lack of co-operation on fixture
By Bill George
CORK CITY are peeved at having to travel to Flancare Park on Saturday night for their delayed League match rather than Sunday afternoon.
Longford Town refused their request for a Sunday game and their stubborn attitude has irritated Cork who feel a little more co-operation is due to them after their generous attitude regarding midfielder Greg O’Halloran.
O’Halloran, a capable player at full-back or in midfield and a regular member of Brian Kerr’s international under-age teams, was allowed travel on loan to Longford when he expressed dissatisfaction at being left out of the Cork team at the start of the season.
Longford manager, Martin Lawlor, then sought to sign O’Halloran when his loan period expired a couple of weeks ago and Cork’s Liam Murphy gave the club permission to discuss terms with the player. However, they failed to reach agreement and O’Halloran is now back with the Cork squad.
He will not figure in the team for this match, however, and manager Murphy is likely to retain the line-up that started for the 1-0 victory against Derry two weeks ago.
Club captain Declan Daly is not ready to return as yet but Stephen Napier, who was ruled out for the postponed match a week ago, is available after his eye infection cleared up.
Cork’s options in midfield have not been plentiful in recent weeks but if Colin O’Brien returns after his loan period with Waterford ends on January 26 their hand will be strengthened.
O’Brien started just four early-season games for Cork and, like O’Halloran, was unhappy with his share of the action. With Kelvin Flanagan and Mark Herrick recently transferred, Cork’s resources are depleted.
O’Brien’s namesake, Colin P. O’Brien, played well against Derry and, with Noel Hartigan as his partner, will hold off the challenge of the fit-again James Mulligan. The restoration of nine points to St Pats means Cork need to win to remain in the championship battle.
