League Preview: Limerick - v - Cork City

LIMERICK

Relegation threatened Limerick play host to champions-elect Cork City in a crucial clash in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at Market’s Field on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).

 

Limerick will be seeking inspiration in their bid to avoid the drop from the top flight by conjuring up a positive result against the league leaders Cork City in this Munster derby.

 

The Super Blues picked up a valuable point last Friday night when they travelled to the Carlisle Grounds and came away from the Seaside with a 1-1 draw thanks to a superb equaliser from Chiedozie Ogbene early in the second half.

 

However, a string of results elsewhere has conspired to suck the Shannonsiders closer to the relegation mire.

 

With just three points separating the teams from 7th to 11th position, every positive result is precious.



 

Limerick have enjoyed an excellent run in the FAI Cup with wins over Cobh Ramblers, Finn Harps and Galway United seeing the Super Blues reach their first semi-final in 23 years – they will take on Cork City in Turner’s Cross in that semi-final next week.

 

Limerick’s recent league form has been poor with Neil McDonald’s side managing to register just one win in their last eight matches thanks to a 1-0 win over Bohemians at Market’s Field in August.

 

With five defeats and two draws Limerick desperately need to reverse this trend to give themselves a realistic prospect of preserving their SSE Airtricity Premier Division status.



 

CORK CITY

The Leesiders head to Limerick seeking the three points that could possibly see them clinch the SSE Airtricity Premier Division title – they would require Dundalk to lose to Drogheda.

 

The Rebel Army cruised to a crushing 4-1 victory over Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium in the FAI Cup quarter-final and next week’s meeting with Limerick.

 

Cork City’s recent form in the league has been abysmal with the Leesiders losing three of their last five league matches in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division away to Shamrock Rovers (3-1) and home to Sligo Rovers (1-0), and Bohemians (1-0). Their other matches ended in away wins over Finn Harps (1-0) and Drogheda United (1-0).

 

City boss John Caulfield is expecting a tough encounter for his side and told www.corkcityfc.ie, “All of the teams in the bottom half of the table are fighting for their lives. Neil (McDonald) has come in and put his own stamp on the team.

 

“We face them again in the cup semi-final and they had a fantastic win over Galway in the last round to get there. Last week, they drew away to Bray, so we are under no illusions that they are on a good run of form and it will be a difficult tie for us.

 

“It’s a Munster derby and we are at the stage of the season where you have to be at 100% to get results, we are well aware of that. Every team has something to play for, which is brilliant, so it means that every game is so important.

 

"As I always say there are no easy games in this league and going to Limerick will be a tough game for us.”

 

Caulfield has a number of selection headaches ahead of the trip to Limerick with Johnny Dunleavy and Alec Byrne still unavailable through long-term injuries while Alan Bennett, Garry Buckley and Steven Beattie will be assessed prior to the game after sustaining knocks.

 

Referee: Sean Grant

 

MATCH FACTS

Limerick and Cork City have met twice in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division this season with Cork dominating both matches winning 3-0 away at Market’s Field at the end of March and 4-1 at Turner’s Cross in June.

 

Limerick and Cork City have met each 25 times in all competitions since 2008 with the Leesiders enjoying the bragging rights with 16 wins to the Super Blues 6 with just 3 ending in a stalemate.

 

Limerick scored 26 goals in the 25 matches averaging 1.04 goals per game while Cork City scored 55 goals in the 25 games averaging 2.2 goals per game.

 

BETTING

Limerick 17/4; Draw 3/1; Cork City 8/13

 

PREDICTION

Limerick 1-3 Cork City

 

Limerick

Injured: NA

Doubtful: NA

Suspended: NA

 

Cork City

Injured: Johnny Dunleavy, Alec Byrne

Doubtful: Alan Bennett, Garry Buckley, Steven Beattie

Suspended: None

 

 

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