St Patrick's Athletic have completed the signing of highly-rated central defender Stephen Paisley who left Longford Town last week following a contractual dispute. The 24-year-old agreed personal terms after the team's 2-1 defeat of his former club at Flancare Park on Saturday evening but will not be available for tonight's Setanta Sports Cup game at Turner's Cross as he has not yet been registered.
The Dubliners travel south with doubts hanging over the fitness of a couple of other players with Gary O'Neill (back) and Colm Foley (thigh) both reckoned to be doubtful. After two wins from their opening two competitive games of the new season, however, John McDonnell's men will not be short of confidence as they go into the game against Cork City who will again be without international central midfielders Gareth Farrelly and Colin Healy as well as injured striker John O'Flynn.
Pat Fenlon will wait to check on the fitness of striker Mark Farren before naming his side for Derry City's Group One game against Drogheda United but he will almost certainly be missing Karl Bermingham and Killian Brennan due to injury while Peter Hynes and Alan Moore are ineligible for the game.
City would go top of the group if they can beat United but Paul Doolin is confident that his side will give their hosts a tough time and, he hopes, add to the point they took against Linfield in their opening match of this year's competition.
"People have maybe made a bit too much of the fact that we didn't win at home a couple of weeks back," says Doolin. "Last year we lost twice in the group stages (but went on to win the tournament) and while I'd accept that this is a tougher group than we were in then I'd still say that you can afford to lose a game or two without going out." The visitors will have Jason Gavin and Richie Baker back from suspension and both are likely to start with the central defender's return freeing up Brian Shelley for a return to right back if required.
TONIGHT'S TIES: Derry City v Drogheda United, Brandywell, 7.45; Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic, Turners Cross, 8.05.
