League Preview: Dundalk -v- Cork City

DUNDALK

The two best sides in the country at the moment go head-to-head on Friday night when Dundalk welcome last season’s double-winners Cork City to Oriel Park (kick-off 7.45pm).

After failing to find the net in their opening two matches, Dundalk silenced their critics in some style last time out, putting eight goals past sorry Limerick to record what was their biggest win in the League of Ireland since defeating Shelbourne 9-0 in 1980.

“Our opening two games, we didn’t put the ball in the net but I thought we played well overall. Our defending was very good too, we didn’t concede and from back to front we were very good,” said Dundalk right-back Sean Gannon.

“Once we clicked in front of goal we looked so good and it was great against Limerick to get those goals and it gives us good confidence. It was good to get the win and I think it was coming for us so we were happy to get going.

“The games are coming thick and fast now. Almost everyone is back fit now and we have a very strong squad. You look at the squad and we have good players everywhere.

“These are the games that we want to be involved in. They have been very close games between ourselves and Cork City for the past couple of years so it’s going to be another tight game.

“It’s going to be a full house here tomorrow again. We have great support behind us and we love playing here.

“We will be going out to try and win the game so hopefully we can get the three points and carry it into the next week.”

Brian Gartland and Stephen O’Donnell are in contention to make their first appearances of the season after featuring in a friendly match with Warrenpoint Town last weekend, though John Mountney remains on the treatment table with a knee injury.

CORK CITY

Cork City are the only team left in the Premier Division with a 100% record still intact after winning their first three matches against St Patrick’s Athletic, Waterford and Sligo Rovers respectively.

“The league is a marathon and this is the fourth game, so there is a long way to go and Friday’s game won’t determine anything,” said manager John Caulfield at his weekly press conference.

“I think Dundalk will be back to basics – Gartland and O’Donnell didn’t play in the President’s Cup, but they are both back and you would expect they might come in. [Patrick] Hoban has a couple of games under his belt, so I expect they will be back to a familiar starting eleven.

“They have played three games, they haven’t conceded and they are unbeaten. They got eight goals in their last game and will feel they are right back on track.

“We know it will be an incredibly tough game. It is always difficult up there and nothing but a top performance from us will get us the result.”

“We said all along that we felt we would create more chances and score goals this year, and early indications are good, but there is a long way to go yet.

“Everyone is training hard and the guys on the bench are pushing to get games. It will be a very competitive game on Friday.”

Cork are without John Dunleavy – who hasn’t kicked a ball since last June – as well as Josh O’Hanlon, who is still yet to make his debut for his new club having signed from St Patrick’s Athletic during the close season.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH FACTS

This will be the 71st encounter between the sides since Cork City's first ever League of Ireland fixture back in September 1984 – Dundalk won that game 1-0 thanks to a debut goal from Tom McNulty at Oriel Park.

Cork are unbeaten in their last seven matches against Dundalk, who haven’t tasted victory against The Leesiders since a Mark McNulty own goal and Daryl Horgan solo effort secured a 2-1 win at Oriel Park in 2016.

Stephen O’Donnell and Stephen Folan have both represented Cork City in the past while Peter Cherrie is the only former Dundalk player in the Cork squad, having previously kept goal more than 200 times for The Lilywhites.

BETTING

Dundalk 11/10; Draw 9/4; Cork City 13/5

PREDICTION

Dundalk 1-1 Cork City

Dundalk

Injured: John Mountney.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Josh O’Hanlon, John Dunleavy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None