SETANTA SPORTS CUP PREVIEW: HAVING TRAVELLED to Munich over the weekend to size up his Uefa Cup opponents Hertha Berlin, Johnny McDonnell turns his attention back to the Setanta Sports Cup this evening as the Dubliners take on Group Two leaders Linfield in Belfast
"It'll be tough," says McDonnell, "and we're short a few bodies so there'll have to be a few changes."
Dessie Byrne, Jason Gavin and Stephen Paisley are all set to miss out having featured against Elfsborg at Richmond Park last Thursday night. Dave Rogers and Joe O'Cearuill are both still out but John Murphy and Jaroslav Bialek are both fit again.
The value of McDonnell's trip to Germany, he admits, was devalued somewhat by Hertha having been well beaten by the Bundesliga champions.
"They played five at the back but Bayern were very impressive, they just played the ball around them," he said.
McDonnell, however, is hoping to get another look at Hertha, who last night signed Andriy Voronin on a season-long loan, when they play Wolfsburg at home on Saturday week, three days before the first leg of the Uefa Cup tie.
"We'll be travelling over on the Saturday afternoon but the intention at this stage is I'll go over a bit earlier and watch them again. I should get a better idea then of what they'll be like when we play against them on the Tuesday."
In the other Setanta Cup match this evening, Glentoran travel to the Brandywell hoping to secure what would be a surprise victory over Derry City to revive their prospects of earning a place in the competition's semi-finals.
- Emmet Malone
