O’Brien call lifts Hoops as Cork loom

HE’S the only player in the League of Ireland with the established ability to play regularly at Premier League level.

So it shouldn’t be a huge surprise that Joey O’Brien’s inclusion in the Shamrock Rovers side for Friday’s draw in Derry coincided with an improved performance.

The natural concern when Rovers signed O’Brien was his injury record. He had been out of the game for 18 months when he signed for the Hoops, the club he supported as a kid.

He had been training with his former club, Bolton, to keep fit but his last senior appearance in England was an FA Cup win over Liverpool with West Ham more than two years ago.

That shows the level O’Brien was capable of playing at and he was praised for his contribution in Derry – his second league appearance for Rovers.

Clearly, the under-pressure Stephen Bradley had no concerns about using O’Brien on the artificial surface.

It will be interesting to see if he features at home to Cork tonight in yet another round of midweek fixtures.

MEMORIES

Bradley still needs a big performance at Tallaght to erase the memories of the costly defeat to Bohemians that raised questions about his tenure.

It was followed by a loss in Bray and another home concession to drop points to Limerick.

Friday was a step in the right direction, but they will encounter a Cork side buoyed by their victory over Dundalk.

It wasn’t pretty, but there were huge positives to take from the game for John Caulfield.

Indeed, while the ‘Rovers project’ built around improving youth structures has attracted curiosity, Cork are doing a pretty good job of bringing through homegrown talent.

Centre-halves Sean McLoughlin and Conor McCarthy played together at U-19 level for Cork before McLoughlin moved to UCC.

They were reunited at City last year and have now graduated to become first-choice options for Caulfield.

Their youth means they should be able to cope with the hectic schedule that has been strongly criticised by managers in recent weeks, with St Pat’s boss Liam Buckley the latest to articulate his anger.

“It’s difficult,” said Caulfield, offering his take. “But at the same time, winning is a great habit. You’re never tired when you win.”

Rovers haven’t experienced that feeling since they scraped past Sligo Rovers on March 30.

With Cork in town tonight and a Friday trip to Inchicore next on the agenda, they have to produce a big one this week.