Bohemians vs Cork City
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Cork City travel to Dalymount Park on Friday night to take on champions Bohemians knowing that three points will secure fourth spot in the league and with it a place in next season’s Europa Cup.
Cork go into the game with a one point lead over fifth placed Sligo Rovers. Alan Matthew’s men also boast a vastly superior goal difference so they know they only have to better Sligo’s result against Bray Wanderers to finish fourth.
The Gypsies, meanwhile, wrapped up the eircom League Premier Division championship back at the start of October, but with the FAI Cup Final to come on Sunday week, Pat Fenlon’s men will be looking to prove they are worthy of a starting slot for that game.
The two previous meetings between these two sides this season have seen Bohs run out one nil victors on both occasions. However, having recently secured their first Setanta Cup title against Glentoran, the Leesiders will go into the match full of confidence.
Speaking ahead of the game, City boss Mathews said: “It’s a pity we don’t have fourth place secured going into the game, but we will be going up to Dalymount to try and get the result that will get us over the line. If we win the game, we get Europe. I have no doubt that we will go to Dalymount and put in an appropriate performance to try and get the three points. It’s important that we try and maintain our own standards, which for the last number of years has meant qualifying for Europe, and to qualify despite a ten point handicap would be a huge achievement. We have already achieved an awful lot in winning the Setanta Sports Cup, and for us to still be chasing Europe, having had ten points deducted, is a good reflection of what we have here.
“Bohs may have one eye on the cup final, but I know that their manager will have nothing on his mind other than trying to get a performance and win the game. They have been the best team in the country this season, and have deservedly won the league by a massive number of points, so it will be a difficult game.”
Those sentiments were re-iterated by Bohs' manager, Pat Fenlon, who said: “I would like to win this game because it is our last home match of the season. It should be a great occasion for the supporters with the Cup final to look forward to. The team will be doing all it can to keep the winning sequence going. It is true that the Management have looked at one or two players in certain positions over the last three weeks but we have always put out a strong team, capable of winning each game. Our results against Cobh and UCD have proven that. We have to fair to the entire league so it was never an option to give less than 100%."
Fenlon will be without the services of midfielder Stephen O'Donnell, through suspension, while Anthony Murphy is injured.
Cork are also without the services of two key midfielders in the shape of Joe Gamble, who is suspended, and the injured Colin Healy.
Kick off at Dalymount Park on Friday night is at 19:35. The referee for the match will be Damien Hancock (Dublin).
