League Preview: Cork City -v- Shelbourne

CORK CITY

Cork City welcome Shelbourne to Turner’s Cross on Friday evening as they aim to continue their impressive start to the season on St Patrick’s Day (kick-off is at 5pm).

The Leesiders fell to defeat in their opening game of the season against Bohemians and also lost away to Derry City a week later.

But a win against UCD and two consecutive draws against Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers has set them up nicely ahead of their home tie against the Reds.

“It’s going to be a tough game,” forward Ruairi Keating said. “We’ve watched them and they are very organised and compact.

“They don’t concede many goals. They haven’t scored too many but I think it will be a really tough game.

“They are a hard team to break down so we’ll have to figure out a game plan for it.”

Cork City are likely to remain without Aaron Bolger for the game as he nurses a heavy fall sustained against Shamrock Rovers last week.

SHELBOURNE

Damien Duff's Shelbourne will be seeking their first away win of the season when they take on Cork City at Turner's Cross.

Both teams are level on points in the Premier Division table - with Shelbourne picking up more clean sheets than the Leesiders so far. 

But Colin Healy's men have shown an eye for goal - and Duff is wary of their threat. 

"Cork have done brilliantly well, they certainly haven’t tiptoed into the league," he explained. 

"They’ve laid a marker down to tell the rest of the division they’ve come up.

“They’re a high energy team and they play with intensity, they’re capable of scoring a few, 10 goals in 3 games and also letting a few in. 

“They’ll have Turners Cross rocking, and our lads will be ready for it.

“It’s one of the great places to go in League of Ireland football, proper ground, an atmosphere, and a derby feel usually when it’s a Dublin team coming to town.”

Referee: Ray Matthews.

PREDICTION

Cork City 1 - 2 Shelbourne

Cork City

Injured:  Cian Murphy, Tobi Oluwayemi.

Doubtful: Aaron Bolger.

Suspended: None.

Shelbourne

Injured: Sean Boyd, Jad Hakiki, Mark Coyle, Conor Kane.

Doubtful: Paddy Barrett.

Suspended: None.