Dundalk -v- Cork City
Credit:
Dundalk welcome both Cork City and the RTE cameras to Oriel Park on Friday evening as they aim to end their barren home spell (kick-off 7.35 p.m.)
DUNDALK
It has been a good start to the season for Dundalk as they lie fourth in the Airtricity League table after 9 games played. A commanding 2-0 victory at Dalymount Park last week was the perfect response to their 3-1 loss to Derry City a week earlier and the performance in against Bohemians matched the result. Goals in either half from Tiarnan Mulvenna and a deflected Richie Towell shot gave the border club three points which helped them keep in touch with the leaders.
Four successive league wins on the road has got people talking however the home form has also been a talking point as the Lilywhites have failed to win any of their five league matches at Oriel Park this season and will be hoping to rectify that at the sixth attempt on Friday evening.
On the team news front, Dundalk will be without the injured Chris Shields who misses out through a knee injury while Eoghan Osborne is doubtful. John Dillon definitely misses out through suspension however Kurtis Byrne, who sat out last weekend with a thigh injury, is in line to feature.
Speaking to dundalkfc.com ahead of the match, Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny is confident his side can win at home in the near future before admitting he is expecting a tough game.
“We have played just as well at home as we have away but the results haven’t matched that. It will come sooner rather than later and hopefully on Friday night.
“It’s going to be a tough game. Cork City have some wonderful players and are playing very well. We will be ready for the game. We will be fully focused on our own game and that’s what we have to do.”
CORK CITY
It has been a mixed start to the season for Cork City who find themselves in eighth place after nine games. This week has been particularly difficult with the concession of late, late goals being their downfall. When it looked like they were cruising to three points at home to Shelbourne last week, they conceded an injury-time goal. Three days later they suffered the same fate. The Leesiders had one foot in a Setanta Cup final when once again they conceded in injury-time to draw 2-2 with Shamrock Rovers, who went through on away goals.
The problem for Tommy Dunne’s men is conceding the late goals. It can be argued that without their problems late on in games, they could be ahead of Dundalk as they have dropped crucial points in the final few minutes of games. Away to both Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers, along with last week, they have dropped a potential six points so far. Maybe they are due a little late luck!
For the match on Friday, Cork City will be without Brian Lenihan, Dan Murray, Colin Healy and captain Kevin Murray for the trip to County Louth however there are no suspensions to worry about and they will head to Oriel Park hoping to bounce back from their elimination in the Setanta Cup and claim their first league win on the road this season.
Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie ahead of the match is anticipating a tough game and believes that the matches his side have played this season have been close.
“It will be a difficult game. There has not been much in it in any game we have played, and I don’t see this being any different. We are looking to try and get the three points tomorrow night and get more points on the board.
“We will try to play properly and if we are in a winning position, we will try and eradicate the mistakes and get over the line. If we find ourselves in that position, we need to be confident, not panic and try to get the win under our belts. “
Referee: Paul Tuite
MATCH STATS
Cork City are unbeaten in their last four meetings with Dundalk which includes two wins and a draw in 2012.
Dundalk haven’t beaten the Leesiders since September 2009 when Tiarnan Mulvenna struck late to hand the Lilywhites three points.
Despite having four wins from four on the road, the Lilywhites will be looking to secure their first league victory at home this season – at the sixth attempt. If they fail to win, it will be the first time in the club’s league history that they have failed to win any of their opening six in league contest.
BETTING
Dundalk - 5/4; Draw - 11/5; Cork City - 21/10.
PREDICTION
2-1 to Dundalk. Close one to call but the Lilywhites to finally end their home misery with a narrow victory.
Dundalk
Injured: Chris Shields.
Doubtful: Eoghan Osborne (leg).
Suspended: John Dillon.
Cork City
Injured: Kevin Murray, Dan Murray, Brian Lenihan and Colin Healy.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
