League Preview: Sligo Rovers -v- Cork City

SLIGO ROVERS

They have had to wait a day longer than others, but tonight Sligo Rovers will see their 2015 SSE Airtricity Premier Division campaign get underway as they welcome last year’s runners up, Cork City, to the Showgrounds.

Last year Sligo Rovers finished in fifth place, some 31 points behind the eventual winners Dundalk. When the season ended though, the Bit O’Red wasted no time by naming Owen Heary as their new manager that very weekend.

Having made the move from Dalymount Park, Heary brought no fewer than four of his former players with him as Kevin Devaney, Dinny Corcoran, Steven Beattie and Eoin Wearen traveled with him. A further five signings have completed Heary’s business in the transfer market and the former Shelbourne defender has assembled a very capable side that many consider to be a dark horse for this year’s title.

Tonight, they welcome a Cork City side who they have not beaten in their last five league meetings, and if they are to break that run they will have to do so without midfielder Eoin Wearen who misses out through suspension. Also missing for Sligo is Jeff Henderson who is recovering from surgery having injured his foot in last week’s friendly against Athlone Town.

Speaking to SligoRovers.com ahead of the game, Heary was looking forward to getting the season started. “It is important that we start the season right. We have to go out and try to win the game. We have done really well in pre-season but that counts for nothing now, the real work starts tomorrow.

“With a couple of players out on loan and the injury to Jeff we are down to 20. We want to keep the squad tight to that the players are all pushing each other. But it will be still tough to pick the 11. The players will know the reason for whoever is selected and what system we choose, we won’t hide anything from them.”

On tonight’s game, Heary is under no illusions as his side face a Cork City team tipped by any for title success this season.

“It will be a tough game. They came second last year and have largely the same squad but have also added a few good quality players. They will be tough to play against. They are physically a strong team and are good at set-pieces but can also play when they have to.

Last season Heary enjoyed some success over his class mate from the Pro Licence course, John Caulfield, but says this counts for nothing when the team takes to the pitch tonight. 

“It will be totally different tomorrow. We had some hard games against Cork at Bohs last year but then Cork beat us the last time we played. Every game is totally different, we know a bit about them but this will be different.

“But I wouldn’t make any judgements on either team just from tomorrow’s game. Everyone is going into their first game on the same level and whether we win or lose it doesn’t mean that either team isn’t going to win the league, it’s only the first game.

“It’s important that we go and put on a display and try to get three points. We want to be up there with the big boys this year.”

Speaking recently to the Extratime.ie Sportscast,Sligo’s new striker Dinny Corcoran was happy with how the fixtures fell on the opening weekend of the season, as he comes up against a side he enjoyed success with Bohemians against last year.

“I think the fact that we’re home is huge, to get a big crowd there, that will be good for us. 

“I actually enjoyed playing Cork last year. I know they were flying high at the top of the league, but there was something about them we just seemed to get the better of, in most of our meetings last year. I scored a few against them as well, so I’ll be looking to do the same [on Saturday]."

CORK CITY

Last season was almost a fairytale debut season for John Caulfield as Cork City manager, as his side took eventual winners Dundalk to the last game of the season in the race for the title.

Since then, Caulfield has lost midfielder Gearóid Morrissey to Cambridge United, but has otherwise largely kept his 2014 starting eleven at the club. In defence, Cork City were miserly last season but have signed AFC Wimbledon captain and twice capped Alan Bennett to provide competition for Dan Murray and Darren Dennehy at centre half.

Gavan Holohan and Republic of Ireland international Liam Miller have replaced Morrissey while Kieran Djilali has come in to offer the Rebel Army some natural width on the right and he could make his debut against his former club tonight. Karl Sheppard could also make his debut tonight and could partner Mark O’Sullivan up front.

Speaking at the club’s pre-match press conference, Caulfield was clearly happy with his current panel.

“I think we have a very decent bunch of players and I think our strength should be better than last year... This year we have brought in players to address certain areas that we needed to address and things have gone reasonably ok. We haven’t set the place alight in pre-season, but as I keep saying you don’t win anything in pre-season and we just have to see how the lads settle down and how the new players settle in. On paper we have a better team and a better squad than last year, but the game isn’t played on paper, we have to go out and perform and that is the challenge for us”.

On tonight’s match, Caulfield is fully aware of the task at hand as his side travel to a buoyant Sligo.

“Sligo have gone through a bit of a transition. I know Owen Heary well; he was a fantastic player and he is on the Pro Licence with me. He’s a very shrewd manager and he’s made some fantastic signings. We know they will be in your face, with a high intensity and a high work rate; you can see in pre-season they are scoring goals and they are absolutely flying.

“We know it will be difficult up there but at the same time, we are well capable, we have a good side. We need to prepare well, which I think we are doing this week, and if we prepare well then I think it will be an interesting game.”

If the Leesiders are to win their first Premier Division opening game since 2005, they will have to do so without striker John O’Flynn who is out with chicken pox. Perhaps a bigger loss is Billy Dennehy who misses out through suspension.

Referee: Rob Rogers

MATCH STATS

The sides have met 55 times in League of Ireland football. Cork City have won thirty (or 54.55%) of these games, while Sligo Rovers have only won 13 (or 23.64%).

The sides have played seven scoreless draws in the league, and there has been an average of 2.45 goals per game in the 55 league meetings.

This is the second time the sides have met on the 7^th of March. The last time this happened, the game was also played at the Showgrounds when Billy Dennehy’s 86^th minute goal was cancelled out by a Stephen Parkhouse strike at the death to see the game finish 1-1. 

BETTING

Sligo Rovers 7/4; Draw 11/5; Cork City 11/8.

PREDICTION

Draw.

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Jeff Henderson.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Eoin Wearen.

Cork City

Injured: John O’Flynn (chicken pox).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Billy Dennehy.