League Preview: Shelbourne -v- Cork City
Rebecca Cooke of Shelbourne in action when the sides met in the league at Tolka Park last season. Credit: Paul Dolan (ETPhotos)
SHELBOURNE
Up to 600 fans will be in attendance as spectators are welcome back to a Women’s National League game for the first time in a year as Shelbourne host Cork City (kick-off 2pm).
The hosts have an opportunity to draw level at the top of the table with Peamount United as the champions have a bye week.
Noel King’s side are unbeaten in their last six games heading into the tie with City, a narrow defeat to Peamount and a draw with Wexford Youths before the break their only dropped points.
Their last game before the midseason break saw Shels run out 5-0 winners at home to Athlone Town, having led early through Jamie Finn.
Finn, one of four called up to Vera Pauw’s Ireland squad for the friendlies in Iceland, saw the Reds lead at the break before four goals in the final half-hour saw off Athlone’s challenge.
Ciara Grant doubled the lead and former Cork player Saoirse Noonan added a third, before subs Rebecca Cooke and Abbie Larkin, her first senior goal, polished off the win.
CORK CITY
Cork City’s quest for a first league win of the season continues with the arduous task of a visit to Tolka Park first up for caretaker boss Paul Higgins.
Higgins will take charge of the Rebel Army until the end of the season having taken the reins following the resignation of Rónán Collins, whom he has assisted since 2018.
City are rock bottom of the table after losing six and drawing three of their nine games to date, having been consistent top five finishers for the past few years.
Two goals in three minutes midway through the first half, courtesy of Chloe Moloney and Aoife Thompson, saw City fall to a 2-0 defeat at home to Galway before the break.
City will be without Nathalie O’Brien, Danielle Burke, Katie McCarthy and Zara Foley for the game due to injury.
Referee: TBC
MATCH STATS
The sides have met once so far this season, with former Rebel Saoirse Noonan scoring twice, following Emily Whelan’s opener, in a 3-0 win at Turner’s Cross.
BETTING
Shelbourne 1/16; Draw 8/1; Cork City 11/1.
PREDICTION
Shelbourne 4 – 0 Cork City
Shelbourne
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Cork City
Injured: Nathalie O’Brien, Danielle Burke, Katie McCarthy, Zara Foley.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
