Cork City title decider to go ahead despite battering from Storm Ophelia

By Matt Bishop
Cork City’s title decider with Derry City is going ahead this evening, despite Storm Ophelia ripping the roof from the Turner’s Cross stadium.
City’s home ground was battered by the ferocious storm yesterday, causing severe damage that made the main stand along the touchline collapse.
However, while The Derrynane Stand will remain closed, the FAI have confirmed this evening’s crucial game will be played, with kick-off at 7.20 pm, after the ground was declared safe by an engineer.
In a statement, the FAI said: “An engineer visited the ground on Monday afternoon and while damage was done to a particular section, the rest of the stadium was not affected.
“The engineer approved the fixture proceeding once the necessary works are completed on Tuesday morning in clearing debris and the Derrynane Stand remaining closed.”
The game was originally scheduled to take place on Monday night, but was pushed back in anticipation of the storm.
Derry City boss Kenny Shiels feels the game should be pushed back even further, in the interests of player safety, telling BBC Radio Foyle: “We have a duty of care to the families.
“I have taken young players out of school to come down and play for Derry City in a very important game.
“But the importance of the game is superseded with the safety of these young people. It’s important we look after them and put their duty of care before everything.
Cork need just one point to be crowned League of Ireland Premier Division champions.