League Preview: Cork City - v - Galway United

CORK CITY

John Caulfield’s men begin their home campaign in the league with the visit of Shane Keegan’s Galway United to Turner’s Cross on Friday (kick-off 7.45pm). City come off the back of a hard fought 1-0 victory over Finn Harps in Donegal on the opening night of the season.

 

That victory was more impressive than the scoreline suggests considering the conditions that both sides had to deal with on the night, coupled with the fact that many teams have difficulty in getting a result at Finn Park.

 

John Kavanagh misses out for the Leesiders through injury. The home side will also be without influential midfielder Garry Buckley after he was sent off last week. Steven Beattie and Alan Bennett will undergo late fitness tests.

 

Reflecting on last week’s performance, City boss John Caulfield was very complimentary of his players. “Our lads were brilliant last week. There are days when you have to dig in, battle and play to the conditions, and that is where intelligent players and good players understand that you have to pull out a performance and a result. Obviously, this week we will be at home, so it will be different kind of game on an excellent pitch.”

 

Caulfield is also aware of the threat that the visiting Tribesmen pose and has warned his side against complacency. “Galway have lots of attacking options and we are well aware of the threat they pose.



 

“Against Drogheda last week, they should probably have been three or four up at half-time but the game changed when they went a goal behind. They would have been disappointed with the result, but I think Shane (Keegan) will have been happy with their performance for a lot of the game.”

 

City will be hoping to extend an impressive unbeaten home league run against the visitors which stretches back 23 years.

 

 



GALWAY UNITED

The Tribesmen endured a frustrating start to the new season with 1-0 home defeat at the hands of Drogheda United last week. They conceded late in the game but manager Shane Keegan among others, felt that Galway should not have been in such a vulnerable position.

 

“We were really outstanding in the first 45 We created so many chances, looking back on our own stats, it was 8-1 in terms of chances created. But if you get eight chances in a half and you don’t put any of them in the net, then inevitably it does come back to bite you.”

 

Despite the defeat, the partnership of Vinny Faherty and Ronan Murray looks exciting for the future and both players should have opened their account on the opening night having missed chances.

 

Although United dominated the first half, the second half belonged to Drogheda which is a worry for Keegan.

 

“The second half was a different kettle of fish for us. Our stats showed 8-1 in terms of chances created in the first half, it showed 3-1 in favour of them in the second half. That is a cause for concern. We’re going to have to have a good look at that to see why that was the case.”

 

Furthermore, Keegan acknowledged that his side could not have had a more difficult fixture in their attempt to bounce back from the defeat quickly and open their account for the season. “We will look to bounce back, we couldn’t get a tougher game, going down to Cork at Turners Cross.”

 

 

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

 

 

MATCH STATS

Cork City will be hoping to net their 100th goal against Galway United at Turner’s Cross. However, Galway had some success in front goal against the hosts in 2016 scoring five goals against the Leesiders.

 

The Tribesmen may have scored against City more than any other team but they also conceded 12 against the Leesiders in a 2-2 draw, a 5-0 loss and another 5-3 defeat during the 2016 campaign.

 

City have not been defeated at Turner’s Cross in a league game by Galway United since November 1993 in which goals from Mark Herrick and John Brennan provided the visitors with a rare victory.

 

 

BETTING

Cork City 1/3; Draw 7/2; Galway United 10/1.

 

 

PREDICTION

Cork City 3-1 Galway United

 

 

Cork City

Injured: John Kavanagh

Doubtful: Alan Bennett, Steven Beattie

Suspended: Garry Buckley

 

Galway United

Injured: Paul Sinnott

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None

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