Preview: Bohemians vs Cork City

Cork City take on second placed Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Sunday night. At the start of the season both these sides were viewed as genuine title contenders, however with the first series of games all but completed, its Bohemians that look the more likely to pick up this seasons major honour.

They may not have been grabbing the headlines, but up until their defeat by Drogheda at the end of April, Cork were steadily getting their season off to a solid if not particularly spectacular start. A win over Bohs would lift them to fourth in the table.

Prior to that game against last years champions the Leesiders were the only team in the league to remain unbeaten. Drogheda scored early on and when Joe Gamble was dismissed a few minutes later it always looked unlikely that anything other than an away win was on the cards.

A second defeat in a row, this time to leaders St Pats, made even the most optimistic members of the Rebel Army sceptical about their sides ability to challenge for the title. Three points against Sligo last week ensured they stayed well clear of the bottom five - however defeat by Bohs would leave them a massive ten points behind the leaders with a third of seasons games already played.

A win for Bohs would leave them just two points short of leaders St Pats. Pat Fenlons side have been impressive to date - especially when they have scored the games first goal. In every game this season when they have scored first they have gone on to win. When the opposition have been first to get on the scoresheet, the best Bohs have been able to manage has been a point.

While their away from has been excellent, its at Dalymount that Bohs have struggled to pick up maximum points. A three nil win over Finn Harps remains Bohs only home win in the league this season. Interestingly, from their six wins to date, that victory over Paul Hegartys side is the only one where Bohs have managed more than the minimum winning margin of one goal.

Apart from the absence of Gareth Farrelly, Cork will be at full strength. Danny Murphy is available for selection after missing the Sligo game through suspension.

Kevin Hunt and Thomas Heary remain sidelined for Bohs. Stephen ODonnell is a doubt after picking up a knock in the one nil win over Cobh last Saturday.

Kick off of at Dalymount Park is at 7pm.