LEAGUE OF IRELAND PREMIER DIVISION: KEVIN DOYLE, who would have benefited Cork City hugely had he been transferred to an English Premier League club before the window closed last Monday, says he can't believe the financial mess his former club find themselves in.
Doyle left Cork for Reading in June 2005 for a paltry €117,000, but a 10 per cent sell-on clause in that deal had he moved for an estimated €8 million, as speculated, would have wiped out the bulk of Cork's €1.3 million debt.
"I know it would have helped them out a lot," said Doyle of a transfer that never was. "It's not nice.
"I always felt that the likes of Cork and Derry would never get into financial trouble because they always have a lot of support. It's disappointing as they never seemed to be in any trouble when I was there. Hopefully they learn from it and come back stronger."
Cork host Derry City tonight in an FAI Ford Cup quarter-final rehearsal that's a much bigger game for the visitors in relation to qualification for Europe via the league. With John O'Flynn gone to Barnet, Pat Sullivan injured and midfield key Joe Gamble suspended, manager Alan Mathews reshuffles a depleted Cork squad whose morale is holding up well given their financial plight.
Derry, full of confidence after five wins on the spin, are boosted by in-form striker Mark Farren, along with Gareth McGlynn, agreeing a new two-year deal.
Bohemians are stretched in midfield at Sligo Rovers as they hope to keep their 21-match unbeaten league record and 10-point lead intact ahead of Monday's meeting with St Patrick's Athletic.
Though defender Jason McGuinness returns from injury, Gary Deegan and Stephen O'Donnell are suspended, Mindaugas Kalonas is away with the Lithuanian international team while Glenn Cronin remains out with a knee injury.
Unlucky not to have got more than just one point from recent games with St Patrick's and Drogheda, Sligo are without right-back Seamus Coleman and Benin striker Rumuald Boco who are on international duty. St Patrick's defender Jason Gavin returns having been cup-tied midweek and Dave Partridge is finally fit again as they prepare for Galway United's visit to Richmond Park.
Galway player-manager Jeff Kenna will be looking for a "drastic improvement" after the 4-1 defeat at Cobh that has them bottom of the table. Kenna has John Lester back from suspension, though winger Jay O'Shea is now banned.
Finn Harps' manager Paul Hegarty is without Conor Gethins, Aaron Labonte, Gary Beckett and Conelius Gallagher, who are all injured, while Marc Brolly is suspended, for the first real relegation six-pointer of the season at home to UCD.
UCD, with one win now in 10 league games, are little better off with suspensions to midfielder Brian King and Darren Meenan while left-back Ian Bermingham remains out injured.
With the exception of goalkeeper Dan Connor, who had an operation on his hip this week, Drogheda United have a full panel to pick from at home to Cobh Ramblers.
