McGeough Soccer National League: Premier DivisionFelix Healy's decision to turn down the opportunity to return to Derry City as their manager appears to have cleared the way for Jimmy McGeough, considered the favourite in the first place, to be appointed to the post, probably by early next week.
Finn Harps manager Healy, who is not under contract at Finn Park, was offered the post vacated by Gavin Dykes following his resignation four weeks ago, when he met Derry officials earlier this week. But in deference to Finn Harps, and particularly considering he has been at the club just seven weeks, Healy turned it down.
McGeough is expected to be an interested spectator when Derry meet Waterford United, the club which sacked him during the close season, at the RSC tonight.
Caretaker manager Peter Hutton is frustrated at being in charge for a fifth match and believes the whole issue has been unsettling for him and the players.
"I'm not very happy, but what can you do? You just have to get on with it," said Hutton. "It's been very frustrating. Obviously we wanted somebody appointed before the weekend. It isn't to be, so we'll just have to soldier on.
"I'm disappointed Felix Healy didn't come back because I felt he would have done a good job. Jimmy McGeough was many people's firm favourite to start with. Felix pulling out will have helped his cause no end."
Utility player Seán Hargan is a big doubt with a hernia while striker Gary Beckett aggravated a groin strain against Longford last Saturday and is unlikely to play.
Waterford, who will go second in the table if they win, are set to give a debut to winger Jose Quitongo, though he may not start.
Alan Cawley, influential when he came on as a substitute last week, is set to start in Shelbourne's midfield at St Patrick's Athletic as Wes Hoolahan, who has a groin strain, is unlikely to be risked. Otherwise, the league leaders should be unchanged.
Respective managers Pat Fenlon and John McDonnell won't be tempted into major tactical changes in the hope of outfoxing each other. McDonnell was Fenlon's assistant at Shelbourne up to a month ago, while ex-St Patrick's boss Eamonn Collins is number two at Tolka Park.
"It's all very well having the information, but you have to have the know-how to stop it," said Fenlon. "The team I have are capable of beating anybody in the league once they play."
St Patrick's are without suspended defender Karim El Khebir and striker Paul Rose (knee), but welcome back Aidan O'Keeffe and Keith Dunne from injury.Jimmi Lee-Jones, Paul Donnelly and Barry Prenderville are out long-term.
"It's been very positive over the last few weeks," said McDonnell. "We've 10 points from 18 and we want to build on that."
TONIGHT'S FIXTURES (7.45 unless stated) National League: Premier Division: St Patrick's Athletic v Shelbourne; Waterford United v Derry City (7.30). First Division: Athlone Town v Sligo Rovers; Bray Wanderers v Kilkenny City; Finn Harps v Limerick FC (8.0); Galway United v UCD (7.30).
