EA Sports Cup Preview: Cork City -V- Derry City

CORK CITY

It is the Premier Division’s second placed team against its third placed side in the EA Sports Cup Quarter Final on Monday evening, as Cork City host Derry City at Turners Cross (KO 7:45).

The hosts progressed to this stage after knocking out First Division strugglers Waterford United in the 2^nd round  thanks to a 7-0 drumming of their Munster rivals.

Cork have also won their last three games, beating Finn Harps, Shamrock Rovers and St. Patrick’s Athletic respectively.

The Leesiders have played four games in the space of two weeks, and manager John Caulfield said that he expects to ring the changes ahead of this game on Monday night.

“We have had a really, really intense couple of weeks, going back to the EA Sports Cup game against Waterford.

“We are going to make at least ten changes, but the good thing is that Conor McCarthy, Chiedozie Ogbene, Cian Coleman and Craig Donnellan all come into play, as well as the lads who would have been on the bench. The good thing is that we have a very strong bench and it is important for them all to get a run.

“I would prefer not to make as many changes, but we have no choice with the volume of games we have had. However, I am still confident with the players we have coming in, because they are all guys who have been in the first team, so we will still be very strong and I am expecting us to win the match.” 

One player that Caulfield will definitely not be able to call upon is Kenny Browne  as he is suspended for both this game and the match this coming Saturday, against Bray Wanderers after he got sent off against Finn Harps. John Kavanagh will also be out due to a long term injury.

DERRY CITY

Derry are the only team to beat their hosts this season.  The Candystripes  beat the Rebels back in March thanks to a Ronan Curtis goal which saw the Candystripes win 1-0 in the Brandywell.

Derry progressed to this stage with to a 2-0 win against Sligo Rovers in the Brandywell, they also managed to beat Bohemians the game after 1-0 at home, but couldn’t get the better of the Bit O’Red for a second time, losing to Sligo Rovers 2-0 at home last Friday night.

Derry are only a point behind their opponents in the league, and will be hoping to pick up some momentum with a victory down in the south of the country.

Referee: Sean Grant

MATCH STATS

These two teams contested the 2011 EA Sports Cup final in Monday night’s venue. Derry came out the victors that evening over the then First Division  Cork City side thanks to a penalty from current Indy Eleven striker Eamon Zayed.

Derry City have won this competition a record 10 times, with their triumph against the Leesiders back in 2011 their most recent victory,while Cork City have won this competition three times.

These sides also met at the quarter final stage in the FAI Cup last season. After a 1-1 draw in the Brandywell, Cork went onto beat Derry 3-0 in Turners Cross thanks to goals from Ross Gaynor, Garry Buckley and John O’Flynn.

BETTING

Cork City 4/7; Draw 5/2; Derry City 9/2.

PREDICITION

Cork City 1-1 Derry City (Cork City to win on penalties).

CORK CITY

Injured: John Kavanagh.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Kenny Browne.

DERRY CITY

Injured: Unknown .

Doubtful: Unknown.

Suspended: None.