League Preview: Cork City -v- Derry City

CORK CITY

What a start John Caulfield’s side have had to the season as they sit six points clear at the top of the Premier Division.

The Munster side have picked up a maximum 21 points in their first seven games and they go into this game having only lost to the Candystripes at Turner's Cross once in the last 14 years.

Having picked up maximum points against Dundalk, Shamrock Rovers, Drogheda, and Limerick already this season, the Rebel Army are not short of confidence.

They face another tough test against a very talented Derry City team, who are looking to bounce back from their defeat against Bray Wanderers last week.

Top strikers in Irish league football are few and far between, but Cork City have a very intelligent and talented striker running the scoring charts so far this year.

Sean Maguire has seven goals from his first seven games and the former Dundalk man doesn’t look like stopping anytime soon.

Speaking at his weekly press conference ahead of the game, City boss John Caulfield said: “Our first half performance against Limerick last week was probably our best so far. That said, I think Derry are a better team than them.

“They have experience in the likes of Doherty, Barry, Patterson, and then you look at the three in midfield and the attacking quality they have with the likes of Ronan Curtis.

“They have had the bulk of these guys for the last two or three years, so they are not a new team by any means; a lot of these guys might be 22/23 in age, but they have been in the league a few years now and have a bit of experience.

“To be fair to Kenny Shiels, he has done exceptionally well with them. They qualified for Europe last year and, with the start they have had this year, they have shown themselves to be serious contenders.

“Looking at their performance against Bray last week, they will be scratching their heads how they didn’t win the match because they played so well and created so many chances.”

“I expect Derry to give a top performance and we will have to be at our best to get the three points.

“In the bigger picture, Derry are still under the radar and people are not giving them the credit they deserve, so we need to be fully focused. It is a massive match.”

DERRY CITY

The Candystripes couldn’t make it five wins from five games last week, a feat they haven’t been able to do since 1991. However, theIR loss against Bray Wanderers was nothing but surprising.

Kenny Shiels' side outplayed the Seagulls for 90 minutes, but somehow were 2-0 down at half time and eventually lost the game in the last minute after coming back from that deficit.

It was an emotional night at Maginn Park after the loss of Ryan McBride, but now City will look to get their season back on track against Cork, who they haven’t beat in the League at Turner’s Cross since 2013.

However, Derry did manage to get two wins against John Caulfield and his men last year. Once at the Brandywell and the other coming at Turners Cross in the EA Sports Cup.

Derry City will also be without Rory Patterson for at least three months after the striker discovered he broke his ankle five weeks ago and they could also be without captain Gerard Doherty for Friday’s clash.

Talking ahead of the game Aaron McEneff spoke about his frustration after defeat to Bray and looked ahead to Cork City this Friday.

Aaron McEneff, frustrated with the last-gasp defeat to Bray Wanderers on Friday night, insisted the team will be going to Cork to make a point.

“We’ve won our first four games, we’ve got beat now, and although people might make a big deal out of it, it’s still early in the season,” he said. “We lost our first game of the season last year so we’re in a good place.

“We’re a group that’s really together, on and off the pitch. There are some great players in that changing room, so we’ll just dust ourselves down. Cork will be a tough task but if we go down there with a positive mindset, we should be alright.”

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH FACTS

Cork City have won 38 game of the 92 played between the two teams. Derry City have won 27, and there have been 27 draws.

Cork City’s first clash with Derry City was at the Brandywell in 1987. The match ended 7-2 to Derry, and John Caulfield’s name was on the teamsheet that day.

The last meeting at Turner’s Cross ended in a 2-1 for Cork City with two late goals sealing the win.

BETTING

Cork City 5/8; Draw 11/4; Derry City 9/2

PREDICTION

Cork City 1-1 Derry City

Cork City

Injured: Achille Campion.

Doubtful: Johnny Dunleavy.

Suspended: None.

Derry City

Injured: Rory Patterson.

Doubtful: Gerard Doherty, Barry McNamee.

Suspended: None.