League Preview: Cork City -v- Shamrock Rovers

CORK CITY

Cork City welcome Shamrock Rovers to Turner’s Cross on Friday night in a clash between the two form teams in the country. Both teams drew their opening games at home, before embarking on a three-game winning streak (including three-goal victories away to Athlone Town for both).

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie ahead of the game, first team coach John Cotter was looking forward to the game.

“It is a great game to be involved in; games between the two clubs are always big games, and with both at the top of the table it promises to be a great occasion. For us, it’s a matter of being focussed and doing things right.

“When this club is doing well, the support is phenomenal. There’s no club in the country like it. Turner’s Cross is the best place in the country to play your football. Hopefully we can go and get another positive result.”

Manager John Caulfield, speaking in the club’s match programme, knows that his side will have to be firing on cylinders if they are to get a result against a team that they have only beaten once in the last ten league meetings.

“We’ve looked at Shamrock Rovers a few times since the start of the season. In the first game against Derry City they were stifled somewhat, but since then they have exploded. They got four goals against Athlone, three against Bohemians and against Sligo Rovers at the weekend they only scored once but could have scored a few. They will be a huge challenge for us and we need to be at the top of our game against them.”

Danny Morrissey is still out for the home side and visited a specialist in Dublin this week in a bid to resolve the ankle injury that has ruled him out of the season so far. Michael Rafter is also out with an ankle injury while Anthony Elding is considered a major doubt and will be assessed closer to kick off.

With a bumper crowd expected at Turner’s Cross tomorrow evening, tickets are selling fast and fans are urged by the club to purchase their tickets in advance and to arrive at the venue early.

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers bounced back from their first loss of the season (2-1 against Dundalk in the Setanta Sports Cup) to defeat Sligo Rovers last week. Hoops boss Trevor Croly knows that coming away from Cork with points in the bag will be a tough challenge, especially in front of what is expected to be the largest crowd of the season.   

Speaking ahead of the game, the Hoops boss said: “Turner’s Cross is always a great place to go and that should certainly be the case on Friday night. With both ourselves and Cork at the top of the table, even though it is very early days, there should be an added sense of occasion to the tie and it has all the makings of a good game.

“Our group are not long together and are going very well so far, so this will be a great test for them. There is sure to be a big crowd tomorrow night, and Cork are going well, so we’ll have to perform to the best of our abilities in the game.”

David O’Connor remains out of action with a foot ligament injury, but otherwise Trevor Croly has a full squad to choose from.

Referee: Robert Rogers

MATCH STATS

The last team to beat Cork City at Turner’s Cross in the league was Shamrock Rovers – 299 days ago. The Rebel Army have won eight and drawn two of the ten home league games since.

In the last ten league games at home, Cork City have only fallen behind once, and in that instance only for eleven minutes. (In the 5-3 victory over Shelbourne last October.)

Shamrock Rovers have lost only two of the last sixteen encounters between the sides.

BETTING

Cork City 12/5; Draw 11/5; Shamrock Rovers 11/10.

PREDICTION

Cork City 1-1 Shamrock Rovers

Cork City

Injured: Danny Morrissey, Michael Rafter
Doubtful: Anthony Elding
Suspended: None

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: David O’Connor
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None