Bohemians -v- Cork City

BOHEMIANS

Hot on the heels of their 1-0 defeat against UCD in Belfield on Tuesday night, Bohemians are back in league action this Friday when they entertain Cork City in Dalymount Park (kick off 7:45pm).

Bohemians welcomed back stalwart Owen Heary to the starting lineup for that game while Stephen Traynor also stepped up his return after surgery by taking his place on the bench. Both are available for selection for Friday’s game.

The Gypsies will have to do without the services of Keith Buckley for Friday night’s game as the midfielder was sent off in Tuesday’s game.

Speaking to bohemianfc.com before ahead of the game boss Aaron Callaghan was eager to put the disappointment behind them and seek a win that would see them overtake the Leesiders.

"They've assembled quite a decent squad but a couple of results have gone against them, they've conceded late goals here and there. We know if we win the game we go above them, which is a great incentive for the players.

“It was disappointing that our run came to an end, but we've got to get back on the bike and kick on."

The former Longford Town manager also suggested that he would persist with the 3-5-2 system that has seen his side pick up five points in the last four games.

"The thinking behind it is to create more opportunities, which I think it does. We scored three times against Bray, twice at Drogheda, and once away to St Pat’s by playing the system.

“What it does is throw more men forward. As with every attacking system, it does leave gaps, but we've been working on ways to counter-act that. The idea was to get more goals, and if we win games 3-2 I'll be quite happy.

“Not only does it entertain the fans, but we can also hopefully get the three points."

CORK CITY

Cork City make the trip to Dalymount Park on the back of two home defeats last weekend when a 2-0 defeat against St Pats was followed by a 3-2 defeat against Limerick.

The Leesiders will be happier with their performance in the Munster derby though as they battled with ten men for most of the game following Darren Dennehy’s second red card of the season. The Tralee-native is suspended for Friday’s game as a result.

Daryl Kavanagh and John Dunleavy return to the match day squad after missing that game through illness, but long term absentees Kevin Murray and Brian Lenihan miss out again. Having been ruled out for long spells, Lenihan returned to full training this week, while Murray is also closing in on a return. His namesake Dan Murray also misses out.

The Rebel Army go into the game looking to beat the Phibsborough side for the second time this season, something they haven’t done since 2006.

Speaking to corkcityfc.ie Cork City manager Tommy Dunne called Friday’s tie a “must win game”.

“Dalymount is always a tough place to go. We played extremely well up there last year for the first half; in the second half they came back into it but we had chances to win it.

“I’m told the pitch is starting to improve which should help us, but it will be a tough game. Bohs have some good young players, but it is a game that we must win.”

Referee: Paul Tuite

MATCH STATS

Both sides have won three games this season and have not beaten a side that are currently above them in the league.

If Cork City lose, it will be the first time they have lost three league games in a row since the end of the 2010 season (in the First Division).

It is eight games since Bohemians last kept a clean sheet in the league – a 1-0 win over Shelbourne. Cork City have not kept a clean sheet since the opening game of the season – a 0-0 draw with Limerick 12 games ago.

BETTING

Bohemians 9/5, Draw 21/10, Cork City 6/4.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 Cork City 3

Bohemians

Injured:  None.

Suspended: Keith Buckley.

Cork City
 

Injured: Brian Lenihan, Kevin Murray, Dan Murray.

Suspended: Darren Dennehy.