League Preview: Cork City -v- Sligo Rovers

CORK CITY

Cork bounced back from their Munster derby defeat at the hands of Waterford by overcoming St.Pat’s at Turners Cross on Friday night.

As a direct result of the ‘Battle of the RSC,’ they will be without Steven Beattie and Gary Buckley while manager John Caulfield will serve a one match ban for his part in the incident.

Cork have once again made Turners Cross a fortress winning all four of their games there this season.

John Caulfield’s men won the first clash of the season with relative ease leaving the Showgrounds as 4-1 victors.

Speaking ahead of the game Cork assistant manager John Cotter had this to say.

“A couple of lads are sore and carrying knocks, but we will be assessing them and hoping they clear up in time for tomorrow’s game.

“We do have a lot of games but, the same as any other side; you just have to deal with it and just deal with the next game.

For us, that is Sligo tomorrow night at Turner’s Cross and you just pick a team to go out and try to win tomorrow night.

“Sligo had a great win the other night against Limerick. To be honest, they are probably in a false position and we have to be at it. We have to be strong and aggressive and play our own game. We need to play at a high tempo.

“Sligo are probably a better side away from home this season, so it probably suits them to play away from home. It is all about what we do, and we need to perform at our level.

“Last year was an unbelievable year, and so was the year before when we won the FAI Cup, so of course everyone wants to beat you and that is a great way to be.

“You have to be hungry and be ready for that, because you will get that every week.

“We have to be prepared for a battle, so you have to win that and then earn the right to play, so hopefully we will do that tomorrow night.”

SLIGO ROVERS

Sligo come into the game fresh off the back of their third league win of the season beating Limerick 2-1 on Saturday night.

Rhys McCabe scored a goal of the season contender in that game lobbing the keeper from inside his own half.

Things have been difficult for Gerard Lyttle’s men in recent weeks and they will hope the momentum of Saturday will help to kick start their season.

Speaking to the club website, Sligo boss Gerard Lyttle had this to say on the Limerick game and the Cork clash.

"The important part was the result, but I thought it was a good performance as well. The only disappointment was the late goal because I felt we deserved a clean sheet.

"It's just one win. I don't want to single out individual players. We had a few come in and they all did well.

“Regan coming back in his first game from injury and Greg getting his first goal is a big boost to the squad but the team performance meant the most.

"It's a busy time and two away games in a few days so it's obviously difficult but we have to try to cope with that.

We couldn't buy an away win last year and now we've had a couple in four games so that's a positive. 

"Make no mistake we are in for a tough, tough game and we have be up for the fight and be on our game to come away with a positive result.

The players know that so it's in our thoughts as we travel down because in the first meeting we gifted Cork goals and I don't think it was a true reflection.

“We have to show we're better that because I think we are." 

Referee: Derek Tomney

MATCH STATS

The sides met three teams in last year’s league campaign with Cork City claiming two victories, while Sligo claimed one.

Over the course of those three games Cork scored four goals while Sligo scored three. The winning margin never ventured past one goal.

Cork ran out 4-1 winners in the last league meeting which took place at The Showgrounds.

Last three league matches: Cork City WLW; Sligo Rovers WLL

BETTING

Cork City 2/5; Sligo Rovers 10/3; Draw 6/1

PREDICTION

Cork City 3-0 Sligo Rovers

Cork City

Injured: Johnny Dunleavy, Alan Bennett

Doubtful: None

Suspended: Steven Beattie, Garry Buckley

Sligo Rovers

Injured: Lewis Morrison, Michael Schlingermann

Doubtful: None

Suspended: None