League Preview: Cork City -v- Bohemians

CORK CITY

Cork City will play their third home match within eight days when they face Bohemians at Turner’s Cross tonight.

And the Leesiders, along with the Rebel Army fans, will be keen to avoid an unusual statistic – three home defeats on the bounce.  F.C. Genk ended the European dream by defeating the Rebels 2-1 last Thursday.  Another odd goal in three reverse followed in the League against Sligo on Monday night. With title rivals Dundalk having stumbled in their last two league games (away to Galway Utd. and Bray), Cork City will be keen to ramp up the pressure on their rivals from the north east.

John Caulfield said that he expects his side to show a positive reaction to Monday’s defeat: “Obviously, everyone was very disappointed after Monday, but we have had a good chat. We met Tuesday and went through a good bit of stuff, so we put it behind us and we have trained very well since then. We’ve all had our say, every fella will have his sleeves rolled up and I expect a massive reaction tomorrow night.”

With rearranged away matches against Derry City and Finn Harps looming, Caulfield knows City have to get back on track at Turner’s Cross. “We know it will be a tough, physical game; Bohs are big and strong and good at set pieces. There are no excuses, everyone is ready and it’s all about getting ourselves set for tomorrow night. We need to get back to basics, clean sheets and working as hard as we can. We know we can create chances, we didn’t take them the other night but we look forward to getting back to taking them.”

Speaking on Thursday, the City legend is aware that the games in hand afford City an opportunity to make up ground in advance of an Oriel Park showdown with the champions on 3rd September.

“The league is there to be won; it’s a cliché, but you have to approach every game the right way or it will cost you. It is our biggest game of the season and we have to go out and win the match. We have to respond with a very good performance and a performance that will win us the match. You have to be there right to the end and the only way we can do that is by winning our game every week, so the most important thing is to win tomorrow night.”

BOHEMIANS

After defeats against Shamrock Rovers and Derry City, Bohemians got back to winning ways last Friday with a hard-earned 2-0 victory against a stubborn Finn Harps side.

Bohs manager Keith Long Long said: "We've played better and lost this season. It wasn't a great game but the attitude of the players was spot on throughout and I thought we deserved to win. We had players struggling with match fitness - Stephen Best and Lorcan Fitzgerald hadn't played in a month - so we were pleased to have them available again and to get all three points.

Long was delighted with the two second half scores.  "They were two very well-worked goals by us. The substitutes we made were crucial in breaking them down. Jake Kelly came on after the break and Eoin Wearen then added that bit of spark and creativity that we needed."

Long has warned his charges to be ready for a Cork City backlash tonight. He said: "They will be well up for it. John Caulfield will be looking for a response after losing to Sligo. They would have seen Monday's game as a chance to make ground up on Dundalk and they'll be looking at Friday night the same way. It's not a good time to be playing them but it's never easy against Cork anyway. We have to be ready for them and concentrate on our own game."

Bohs’ new signing Dean O'Halloran is expected to feature in Friday's squad, subject to international clearance for the 20-year-old former Fulham player arriving on Friday. 

Long said: "Dean's very quick. He's not overly physical - but his pace will stretch the opposition and we needed that.  He's not 100% fit yet and hasn't played in the League of Ireland before but I think he'll prove to be a good addition to the team. He can play out wide or as a No 10 and will offer support up front, running off the likes of Izzy and bringing players into it."

Bohs also welcome back Dan Byrne and Keith Buckley from suspension.

Referee: Robert Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Cork City won 1-0 at Dalymount Park earlier in the season. A Gary Buckley tap-in proved the difference when the side met in the rain in Phibsboro on 10 May. Their last meeting at Turner’s Cross was on the opening day of the season when the home side earned a 2-0 win with two goals from Sean Maguire.

All-time, there have been 97 games between the two clubs. 49 of those have been played at Dalymount Park.

City Wins:                               37 (21 at Turner’s Cross)

Bohemians Wins:                   32 (13 at Turner’s Cross)

Draws:                                     28 (15 at Turner’s Cross)

City Goals:                              100 (52 at Turner’s Cross)

Bohemians Goals:                   101 (43 at Turner’s Cross)

BETTING

Cork City 2/5; Draw 16/5; Bohemians 7/1.

PREDICTION

Cork City 2-1 Bohemians

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy, John Kavanagh and Alan Smith.

Doubtful: Alan Bennett.

Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Dylan Hayes and Stephen Best.

Suspended: None.