League Preview: Cork City -v- Dundalk

CORK CITY

The clash of the top two teams in the Premier Division, and the arch title challengers, will unfold in Turner’s Cross tonight with the visiting side, Dundalk holding a four-point cushion over the Rebels.

John Caulfield’s Cork City have played second fiddle to Dundalk since they embarked on their two-in-a-row title winning streak, finishing second behind them on both occasions, while also playing the bridesmaids to the Lilywhites in last November’s FAI Cup final.

Whereas, Dundalk seemed to weaken with the loss of their chief match-winner Richie Towell, Cork strengthened significantly in the off season by adding Stephen Dooley, Ian Turner, Kenny Browne, Greg Bolger and most notably, stealing Sean Maguire from Oriel Park.

Those additions, also considering the losses incurred by Dundalk generated a belief that the Rebels were ready to overtake their rivals and achieve domestic supremacy in 2016.

However, poor results against Derry City, Wexford Youths and Sligo Rovers over the course of the opening round of matches saw them having to once more play catch up on the trail-blazing border-men.

In recent weeks though, Cork have begun to reel themselves back into contention having put seven league wins back-to-back to leave themselves within a touching radius of Dundalk.

Their head-to-head record with the Lilywhites had been poor since Stephen Kenny took charge at Oriel Park, however this season that has transformed and a win at the Cross on Friday night would mark their third win from three games against their rivals in 2016.

Speaking at the club’s weekly press conference ahead of Dundalk’s visit, Cork City manager John Caulfield was typically full of praise for the visiting Lilywhites.

Caulfield said: “It’s a great game for us. Dundalk have set a great pace since the start of the season, but we have been doing very well and we have won seven in a row to put ourselves right in there. It’s a massive match.

“We are four points behind but we are in a good position and I am happy with the way things have gone. We hadn’t beaten them since I had taken over, but, this year, we have beaten them twice in two games, which has given us great encouragement.

Caulfield may have to do without the services of Karl Sheppard, John Dunleavy, Kenny Browne and Garry Buckley, with Buckley the most likely to be available.

DUNDALK

Should Dundalk escape Turner’s Cross with victory on Friday night, like they did in 2014 & 2015, then they will head into the mid-season break and to Portugal for their training camp with a comprehensive seven-point buffer at the summit of the league table.

It has been a case of whatever Cork can do, we can do better for the Lilywhites in the past two seasons and this trend is consistent in 2016. Dundalk have bettered the Rebels winning run by putting together eight consecutive league three-pointers since they battled to a 1-1 draw with Derry City at Oriel Park at the beginning of April.

The Lilywhites twice came from behind to defeat Wexford Youths last Sunday evening by three goals to two in what was a game which would have been thoroughly enjoyed by any football purist.

The quality of attacking play, passing, passion and desire was evident for all of the 2,700 supporters to enjoy, but the Dundalk followers highlight would undoubtedly have been super-sub, Patrick McEleney’s tidy finish in injury time to secure the three-points.

The deafening roar from the Carrick Road venue could have been felt all the way down on the Banks of the Lee. One could sense the significance of that goal from the sheer outburst of delight from Dundalk players and supporters alike at Neil Doyle’s full-time whistle.

When Patrick Hoban departed Oriel Park at the tail end of 2014, Richie Towell stepped up to fill his considerable void. Similarly, since Towell has left, Daryl Horgan has peaked and has recently contributed six goals which has culminated in him receiving the league’s Player of the Month award for May. The Rebels will need to marshal their former winger carefully if they are to prevent a Dundalk win tonight.

Speaking to dundalkfc.com ahead of the match and the manager feels these are games the players relish and is looking forward to the trip praising the work ethic in the team.

Kenny said: “These are the games that the players want to play in. The players enjoy these games and we have a good record in Cork.

“There will be a partisan crowd at Turner’s Cross tomorrow night and we have to maintain our composure and cutting edge. There’s a great work ethic within the group and we want that to continue.”

Referee: Rob Rogers

MATCH STATS:

Dundalk and Cork City have met on 74 occasions with the Lilywhites having the upper hand – P74 W 32 D 20 L22. In Cork it reads P36 W15 D5 L14.

If the Lilywhites suffer defeat on Friday evening it’d be the first time since 1994-95 that they have lost three straight matches in all competitions to Cork City.

Dundalk have got three former Cork City players in their squad – Daryl Horgan, Ciaran Kilduff and captain Stephen O’Donnell – while recent Cork signings Greg Bolger and Sean Maguire have both plied their trade with the Lilywhites.

MATCH BETTING

Cork City 2/1; Draw 2/1; Dundalk 7/5.  

MATCH PREDICTION 

Cork City 1-2 Dundalk

Cork City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Karl Sheppard, Kenny Browne, John Dunleavy, Garry Buckley.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: Ciaran O’Connor.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.