FAI Cup Preview: Cork City -v- Derry City

CORK CITY 

Runaway First Division leaders Cork City host Derry City in the third round of the FAI Cup on Friday evening (kick-off at Turner’s Cross is at 7.45pm).

The Leesiders are on course to securing automatic promotion and could wrap that up as early as next month with a 15-point lead on closest challengers Athlone Town.

Tim Clancy’s side have also been busy adding to their squad in recent weeks.

Strikers Ruairi Keating and Seani Maguire have both returned to the club who are likely preparing for top-flight return next season.

They have also secured the services of midfielder Sean Murray after previously being on loan at the club. 

City have not issued any team news, but are likely to have a fully fit squad to choose from.  

DERRY CITY 

Derry City boss Ruaidhri Higgins insists his side will not take Cork City for granted in the FAI Cup. 

The Candystripes are favourites to ease past City given their Premier Division status.

But Higgins is wary of the challenge his side faces,

“It's a big game and we won't be going down and making seven or eight changes, that's for sure,” he told the Derry News. 

“We know what we're up against. We won't treat it any differently than what we treat the league, because we're not in a position to do that, and we won't do it in absolutely every game that we play.

"It's a mouth-watering game.”

Referee: Marc Lynch. 

PREDICTION

Cork City 1-3 Derry City 

Cork City

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A. 

Suspended: None. 

Derry City

Injured: N/A.

Doubtful: N/A. 

Suspended: None.