Cork City -v- Bohemians

CORK CITY

It has been a whirlwind week for Cork City as the Leeside club enters a new chapter of their history. In the last seven days the Rebel Army has lost a Munster derby, sacked their manager, progressed in the FAI Cup and welcomed former player Shane Long back to Turner’s Cross with his current club West Brom.

Last Friday’s 2-1 defeat away to Limerick proved the final straw for the Cork City board as Tommy Dunne was relieved of his duties and replaced with under 19 manager Stuart Ashton who comes in on a week-to-week contract until the end of the season.

Ashton has had a baptism of fire on Leeside as he enters his third game in charge - despite not even being in the hotseat a week. For his first league game in charge his City charges will come up against a Bohemians side who have also had a change in management recently with Owen Heary tasked with masterminding three points and Bohemians survival.

A win for Cork City will see them put nine points between them and Bohemians, but a defeat could see them sucked into the heart of the relegation battle and sit only three points ahead of the Phibsboro club.

If they are to win, the Rebel Army will have to do so without star player Daryl Horgan who was sent off last Friday night in Thomond Park. Kalen Spillane is also suspended while Darren Dennehy (foot), Kevin Burns (arm) and Kevin Murray (groin) are all definitely out. Elsewhere there are doubts over Ian Turner, John Dunleavy and Neal Horgan.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie ahead of the game First Team Coach Billy Woods was under no illusions over the task at hand: “Obviously since Owen Heary has come in, Bohs have had some good performances.  They beat Bray, drew with Drogheda and were very unfortunate to lose to UCD last week.

“It will be a very tough game for us, but at this point in the season we need to start winning games. We are looking for a big performance from our players in front of what will be hopefully be a good crowd.”
 

BOHEMIANS

Like Cork City, Bohemians have also recently parted company with their manager and club captain Owen Heary remains in charge. Heary will face possibly the biggest challenge of his fledgling career tonight as his side look to bounce back from the disappointing defeat against UCD last weekend.

Despite taking an early lead through Anto Murphy, Heary saw his side lose 3-1 in what some had billed a six-pointer.

The Bohemians stalwart will be looking for better in Turner’s Cross, particularly from set pieces, and speaking to bohemiansfc.com Heary insists the team have been working hard to eradicate the concession of goals from set pieces.

 “The lads are disappointed and feeling hurt. But it’s a good hurt. They know they did well, even if they are disappointed at conceding those goals. The training has been high-tempo because of the frustration.

“They know they are well capable of winning games, if they can eradicate those mistakes. We created chances, we got a lot of bodies forward, and UCD never threatened us in open play.”

Speaking on tonight’s clash, Heary was clear as to his side’s objective tonight.

“The fans could see last week that the players are working hard and playing for the shirt. We have to play to win,”

Chris Lyons (bruised ribs), Andy Mulligan (hamstring) and Stephen Doran (ankle) are definitely out, but there is better news elsewhere as Dave Mulcahy returns from injury to face his former club while Ryan McEvoy also returns.

Keith Buckley misses out through suspension.

 

Referee: Seán Grant.

MATCH STATS

With seven games to go, both teams have already lost one more league game than they did in the whole of last season.

Cork City have kept two clean sheets in 23 league games this season. Bohemians have kept three clean sheets in 23 league games this season.

Both league games this season finished 2-1 to Cork City after Bohemians took the lead in both games.

BETTING

Cork City 10/11; Draw 9/4; Bohemians 3/1.

PREDICTION

2-2.

CORK CITY

Injured: Darren Dennehy, Kevin Murray, Kevin Burns.
Doubtful: Ian Turner, John Dunleavy, Neal Horgan.
Suspended: Daryl Horgan, Kalen Spillane.

BOHEMIANS

Injured: Chris Lyons, Andy Mulligan, Stephen Doran.
Suspended: Keith Buckley.