League Preview: Cork City -v- Athlone Town

CORK CITY

Leaders Cork City hope to extend their 100% home record when they play host to Athlone at Turners Cross on Friday at 19:45.

They maintained top spot with a hard-fought point away to second placed Treaty last weekend.

In a game of few clear opportunities, the backline held firm to come away with the result.

Despite the unbeaten start, Clancy knows they can do better: “There is still loads of improvements to be made. You want to get better throughout the season. The pleasing thing is that we don’t look like conceding a lot of goals. It’s at the other end of the pitch that we want to get more creativity. We are looking at it and will try to make adjustments.”     

The trio of Cathal O’ Sullivan, Matthew Murray, and Jaden Umeh return from international duty whilst Barry Coffey is available after his ban.  

ATHLONE TOWN

Play-off chasing Athlone look to achieve a level of consistency to improve their current standings as they travel to Cork City.

Last weekend was emblematic of their campaign so far. Having been three nil down at half-time, they regrouped to somehow gain a point.  

They can claim to be the top scorers in the division whilst having the dubious honour of having conceded the most at the same time.   

Dario Castelo might be tempted to make some changes in defensive positions to match the league leaders.

One of these is German Fuentes who is likely to return to the side having represented El Salvador against World Cup Champions Argentina on Saturday.  

Referee: David Dunne.

MATCH STATS

Not surprisingly Cork City held the upper hand in their encounters the last time they came up against one another.

The only victory they achieved was in the penultimate game of the season. Cork had already been crowned as champions the previous week and went down 3-2 despite leading 2-0 early on.  

PREDICTION

Cork City 3-0 Athlone Town

Cork City

Injured: Matthew Kiernan, Conor Drinan.

Doubtful: Malik Dijksteel, Darragh Crowley, Cian Bargary, Cian Murphy, Sean Murray.

Suspended: None.

Athlone Town

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: Amardo Akeem Oakley