Anxious week for Kenny

DUNDALK manager Stephen Kenny faces an anxious week in the build-up to Sunday’s FAI Cup final against Cork City at the Aviva Stadium (kick-off 3.40pm, live on RTÉ Two) as he sweats on the fitness of a number of key players.

Pat Hoban, who has scored 32 goals in all competitions so far this season, is the biggest injury concern having limped out of last Friday’s 1-1 draw away to Bohemians with an ankle knock.

Jamie McGrath is also doubtful having tweaked his groin in the warm up for that game while Robbie Benson is also facing a race against time to be fit for the final as he battles to overcome knee and ankle problems that have sidelined him for the last few weeks.

Asked on their status on Monday morning, Kenny said: ‘We don’t know is the honest answer. We’ll have to wait and see.

‘Obviously Pat came down heavily on his ankle so we’ll have to see how that goes over the week. Jamie McGrath has a groin injury so we’ll see how that is as well then there’s Robbie Benson as well with a knee and ankle problem so we’ll have to see how they are this week.

‘There are one or two other injuries as well. Georgie Kelly came down awkwardly on his wrist the other night when he came on so he’ll have to wear some sort of protective thing. He’s had an X-ray but we’re waiting to see on that.’

Asked what percentage chance each of the trio had, Kenny said: ‘I really don’t know to be honest because we’re only going in today now. We’ll have to see how they all get on during the week.’

Asked would the uncertainty over who will be available to him for the final disrupt his preparations, the manager said: ‘That’s the way it goes. We’ll just have to adjust accordingly. We wanted to go into the final with match sharpness to bring that level of intensity in and not drop it.

‘We’re going in with a great opportunity. Cork are a formidable team. They’ll have a game plan. I was Derry manager for two Cup finals. We lost one on penalties following a 2-2 draw against Bohemians and we won one 4-3 so there were 11 goals in those matches. The last three, all the four goals were in extra-time. They have had a game plan and it has sort of stifled us but that’s not to say it will be the same again. They might come out and attack us but it’s up to us to unlock the door.

‘We have a lot of creative players now in the team and plenty capable of scoring goals so we can approach the game with confidence. It will be a real epic battle.’

While doubts persist over a number of players for Sunday, Kenny confirmed that Sean Gannon would be okay. Stephen O’Donnell is also back in contention having made his first competitive appearance since breaking his leg in May while Dean Jarvis and Chris Shields will both be back having missed Friday’s game due to both of their partners giving birth.

Meanwhile, Daniel Cleary will remain at Oriel Park until the end of the 2021 season having signed a new contract with the club last week.