Derry City FC -v- Cork City FC
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Derry City welcome Cork City to the Brandywell on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm) as the home side look to continue their good start to the season while in the process putting further distance between themselves and a side still searching for their first win of the season.
Contrasting fortunes
After taking a point home from Dalymount Park last weekend, Derry will be looking to get their second win of the campaign - after a narrow home victory over Drogheda United on the opening day - against a Cork side who appear to be weak up front. The Leesiders have had a disappointing start to the campaign, picking up just one point from six and will need to win to keep their title aspirations alive, despite it being so early in the season.
'Tough task'
“The injuries and suspensions certainly don’t help us," said Cork boss Paul Doolin. "But the main thing is that the players are working hard and they have just been a little bit unlucky. It is still very early, and the important thing for us now is to keep going, keep working and hopefully get a good result in Derry. Everyone knows that facing Derry at the Brandywell is a tough task. They are a decent team, they have signed some good players over the close season and they have started well.”
History hurts
Derry impressed during pre-season and have carried that form into the league. However, their failure to convert a hatful of chances against Drogheda a fortnight ago will be of slight concern to boss Stephen Kenny, who saw his side lose out on the Premier Division title on the last day of the 2005 season after losing 2-0 in Turners Cross. "We have had good games with Cork in the past," said Kenny's assistant Declan Devine, "so the players are looking forward to the match."
Derry depleted
Interestingly, both Liam Kearney (Derry) and Billy Dennehy (Cork) will be playing against their old clubs for the first time since moving in the opposite direction during the winter. The Candystripes will be without the services of Clive Delaney and Barry Molloy, both serving suspensions, while Kenny also has doubts over the fitness of Sammy Morrow and David Scullion. Both will be assessed prior to the game.
O'Donnell sidelined
Cork too have selection problems. They will travel north without Stephen O’Donnell, who is ruled out for up to six months with a serious knee injury. Robert Mezeckis will also miss the tie but his injury is not as bad as first feared. It was thought that he had broken his ankle but it now appears that it is only ligament damage, which will keep him out for about a month. With Pat Sullivan suspended for the game, it looks like Greg O’Halloran will partner Dan Murray at the centre of defence.
extratime.ie prediction: The home side are favourites at 5/6 to take the spoils, while Cork are 3/1 and the draw is priced at 11/5. It will be close but Derry should win by the odd goal.
Contrasting fortunes
After taking a point home from Dalymount Park last weekend, Derry will be looking to get their second win of the campaign - after a narrow home victory over Drogheda United on the opening day - against a Cork side who appear to be weak up front. The Leesiders have had a disappointing start to the campaign, picking up just one point from six and will need to win to keep their title aspirations alive, despite it being so early in the season.
'Tough task'
“The injuries and suspensions certainly don’t help us," said Cork boss Paul Doolin. "But the main thing is that the players are working hard and they have just been a little bit unlucky. It is still very early, and the important thing for us now is to keep going, keep working and hopefully get a good result in Derry. Everyone knows that facing Derry at the Brandywell is a tough task. They are a decent team, they have signed some good players over the close season and they have started well.”
History hurts
Derry impressed during pre-season and have carried that form into the league. However, their failure to convert a hatful of chances against Drogheda a fortnight ago will be of slight concern to boss Stephen Kenny, who saw his side lose out on the Premier Division title on the last day of the 2005 season after losing 2-0 in Turners Cross. "We have had good games with Cork in the past," said Kenny's assistant Declan Devine, "so the players are looking forward to the match."
Derry depleted
Interestingly, both Liam Kearney (Derry) and Billy Dennehy (Cork) will be playing against their old clubs for the first time since moving in the opposite direction during the winter. The Candystripes will be without the services of Clive Delaney and Barry Molloy, both serving suspensions, while Kenny also has doubts over the fitness of Sammy Morrow and David Scullion. Both will be assessed prior to the game.
O'Donnell sidelined
Cork too have selection problems. They will travel north without Stephen O’Donnell, who is ruled out for up to six months with a serious knee injury. Robert Mezeckis will also miss the tie but his injury is not as bad as first feared. It was thought that he had broken his ankle but it now appears that it is only ligament damage, which will keep him out for about a month. With Pat Sullivan suspended for the game, it looks like Greg O’Halloran will partner Dan Murray at the centre of defence.
extratime.ie prediction: The home side are favourites at 5/6 to take the spoils, while Cork are 3/1 and the draw is priced at 11/5. It will be close but Derry should win by the odd goal.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile