Cork City -v- Finn Harps
Credit:
Cork City hope to get back to winning ways at home, with Finn Harps the opposition at Turner’s Cross on Friday, kick-off 7.45pm.
The Leesiders haven’t set the Turner’s Cross turf alight so far this season, with their form away from home standing out – last week’s defeat to Monaghan was their first loss on the road – and the visit of Harps will surely give them a good chance to get a much needed three points on the board.
Ballybofey boss James Gallagher said ““It would be great not to lose on Friday as we’d love to keep the little run going. We’re certainly in better shape than we were a few weeks ago and Cork will be a real good test for us.”
Harps have just one win in six, with three draws and two losses, though City’s form is a little more dismal as they slumped to their fourth defeat in six last weekend and have only won twice in eleven outings.
The Donegal outfit will travel south without top marksman Kevin McHugh, who serves the first of a three game ban, and without his nine goals so far, Harps would be struggling.
City, too, are bereft of goals, though they will welcome the returning George O’Callaghan, who is likely to be on the bench, as fellow new-signing Shane Barrett could also make his home debut.
Tommy Dunne is fully aware that the home support haven’t been treated to the best of City’s displays this term and says, “Our home form has to improve, there’s no doubt about that. We need to try and pick up the three points and get as many wins at home as possible between now and the end of the season.
New signing Karl Caulfield is still nursing an injury, while Stephen Mulcahy will sit out a second game as Cathal Lordan is ruled out for the rest of the season.
Cork City:
Injured: Cathal Lordan, Karl Caulfield, Stephen Mulcahy
Finn Harps:
Injured: Ciaran Gallagher
Suspended: Kevin McHugh
Paddypower.com odds: Cork City 8/11, Finn Harps 10/3, Draw 9/4.
Referee: P Caschera
Prediction: Cork to edge it by a goal, 2-1
The Leesiders haven’t set the Turner’s Cross turf alight so far this season, with their form away from home standing out – last week’s defeat to Monaghan was their first loss on the road – and the visit of Harps will surely give them a good chance to get a much needed three points on the board.
Ballybofey boss James Gallagher said ““It would be great not to lose on Friday as we’d love to keep the little run going. We’re certainly in better shape than we were a few weeks ago and Cork will be a real good test for us.”
Harps have just one win in six, with three draws and two losses, though City’s form is a little more dismal as they slumped to their fourth defeat in six last weekend and have only won twice in eleven outings.
The Donegal outfit will travel south without top marksman Kevin McHugh, who serves the first of a three game ban, and without his nine goals so far, Harps would be struggling.
City, too, are bereft of goals, though they will welcome the returning George O’Callaghan, who is likely to be on the bench, as fellow new-signing Shane Barrett could also make his home debut.
Tommy Dunne is fully aware that the home support haven’t been treated to the best of City’s displays this term and says, “Our home form has to improve, there’s no doubt about that. We need to try and pick up the three points and get as many wins at home as possible between now and the end of the season.
New signing Karl Caulfield is still nursing an injury, while Stephen Mulcahy will sit out a second game as Cathal Lordan is ruled out for the rest of the season.
Cork City:
Injured: Cathal Lordan, Karl Caulfield, Stephen Mulcahy
Finn Harps:
Injured: Ciaran Gallagher
Suspended: Kevin McHugh
Paddypower.com odds: Cork City 8/11, Finn Harps 10/3, Draw 9/4.
Referee: P Caschera
Prediction: Cork to edge it by a goal, 2-1
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90. View Full Profile