League Preview: Cork City -v- St Patrick's Athletic

CORK CITY

Managerless Cork begin their first game in the post Colin Healy era when they welcome St. Patrick’s Athletic to Turners Cross on Friday night at 7.45pm.

He stepped down from his position last night with the club lying in 9th place at the moment. Liam Kearney, Richie Holland and Liam Buckley are set to pick the side to take on the Inchicore outfit.  

The sides latest defeat came after going down to Bohemians on Monday afternoon. That 5-0 loss at Dalymount Park was the 8th defeat of the season so far.

Richie Holland summed up the mood in the camp: “It’s pretty low to be honest. Colin is a legend at the club and what he has done over the last few years as manager is outstanding. To lose the man, not just the coach, is a big loss.

“A lot of the players here would have come through him under the academy. But we need to be at it from the start if we are to get a result. And with a good crowd behind us we can put on a good performance hopefully.”

Ally Gilchrist will miss this game after his sending off against Bohemians. Aaron Bolger will also miss the game after picking up a fifth yellow card.

ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

St. Pat’s find themselves in the same position as they travel south looking to get their European qualification back on track after the departure of Tim Clancy.

Monday’s home loss to Sligo Rovers sentenced them to a third successive loss.

They find themselves eleven points behind leaders Bohemians and slipping further behind those in contention.

Interim Manager Jon Daly stressed the need for a response: “It’s obviously never nice when a manager loses his job. Disappointed to see Tim leave but it’s the nature of the beast.

“We're looking for a reaction from the players and the staff, disappointed with the situation and it's something we believe we can turn around, starting on Friday away to Cork City.”

Eoin Doyle is set to miss the game after his late red card against Sligo. Injured trio Joe Redmond, Harry Brockbank and Tom Grivosti still remain out.

Referee: Eoghan O’Shea

MATCH STATS

It was not a good Friday for Cork in the reverse fixture this season up in Dublin.

The home side winning 4-0 thanks to goals from Jay Mulraney, Jay McClelland, Jamie Lennon and Mark Doyle.  

BETTING

Cork City 15/8; Draw 21/10; St. Patrick’s Athletic 5/4

PREDICTION

Cork City 1-1 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Cork City

Injured: Cian Bargary, Tobi Oluwayemi

Doubtful: Jonas Hakkinen

Suspended: Ally Gilchrist, Aaron Bolger

St Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Joe Redmond, Harry Brockbank and Tom Grivosti

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Eoin Doyle