BRAY WANDERERS boss Eddie Gormley yesterday bolstered his side by bringing in Richie Baker and Robbie Doyle ahead of this evening’s visit of Dundalk to the Carlisle Grounds.
Baker had been linked in recent days with both Cork City and Wanderers but his hopes of heading south appear to have ended when Davin O’Neill signed for the first division club and there was then a threat that the midfielder, who won league titles at Shelbourne and Drogheda United, might be without a club for the coming campaign until he agreed terms with Gormley.
Doyle, meanwhile, heads to Bray for a third stint having been there previously for single seasons eight and four years ago.
St Patrick’s Athletic also got to wrap up a deal they had been pursuing for some time yesterday morning as former Cork City goalkeeper Dan Connor signed. The former under-21 international will compete for the goalkeeper’s jersey at Richmond Park with Gary Rogers and Paul Hunt but could potentially make his debut against Galway United in Inchicore this evening.
Bohemians start their title defence against cup holders Sporting Fingal at Dalymount Park where Pat Fenlon will be missing Ken Oman (knee) and, most likely, Jason Byrne (knee). Paddy Madden and Mark Quigley are expected to start up front.
The visitors could start with Glen Crowe up front but John Frost is out with the Waterfordman still lacking match fitness as he recovers from a calf strain.
In the night’s other top flight game, Drogheda United could hand debuts to Jamie Harris, Garreth O’Connor and Paul Murphy against UCD.
Visiting manager Martin Russell must weigh up his options in the likely absence of several of the college’s Collingwood Cup team who are likely to be rested after the Dubliner’s beat Galway in yesterday’s final.
In the First Division Dermot Keely’s Shelbourne play hosts to Monaghan United but most of the attention in that division will be focused on the Brandywell where a new Derry City take on a new Cork City.
It’s just a few seasons since a clash between these two on the last day of the season decided the destination of the Premier League title.
This time, both will be hoping that a win might mark a first small step back from the wilderness.
Tonight’s fixtures (7.45 unless stated)
LEAGUE OF IRELAND – Premier Division:Bohemians v Sporting Fingal, Drogheda Utd v UCD, St Patrick's Athletic v Galway Utd, Bray Wanderers v Dundalk.
First Division:Mervue Utd v Limerick FC, Shelbourne v Monaghan Utd (8pm), Waterford Utd v Wexford Youths, Derry City v Cork City Foras Co-op.
