Cork City -v- Monaghan United
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Cork City welcome title-chasing Monaghan United to Turner’s Cross on Saturday afternoon, with the away side in vital need of a result to keep the pressure on table-topping Derry City (kick-off 3pm)
Mick Cooke’s team came from 2-0 down to defeat Waterford 4-2 in their last game and despite the agonising EA Sports Cup final loss to Sligo preceded by an FAI Cup defeat the week before, Mons’ league form has been solid apart from one or two blips.
“Although I will be missing Karl Bermingham and possibly Brian Gartland otherwise I will have a full panel to select from, if we are to win promotion we will have to get results in all our remaining games so a share of the points on this occasion would be a good return,” the pragmatic Cooke says.
Shelbourne finished Cork’s four game unbeaten run, while also finishing their slim hopes of a place in the play-off, last weekend and Monaghan are the only other team to have defeated the Leesiders away from this year. United also took the points at Turner’s Cross in the league meeting between the two, while they also took the spoils in August in the FAI Cup thanks to Philly Hughes’ solitary strike.
Cork boss Tommy Dunne could give a first team debut to Kaelan Spillane, a former youth team player at the club. With Greg O’Halloran and Stephen Mulcahy out, Spillane could take his place next to Gavin Kavanagh in the heart of defence.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough game against Monaghan - we’re under no illusions," Dunne says. "We were quite happy with the some of the performances we’ve had against them, even if the results were disappointing. They’re a dogged team that seem to be able to grind out results and not just against us, against everybody.”
Paddypower.com Odds: Cork 6/5, Draw 11/5, Monaghan 15/8.
Cork City:
Injury: Cathal Lordan (knee), Greg O’Halloran, Neal Horgan.
Doubtful: George O’Callaghan, Stephen Mulcahy.
Suspension: Cillian Lordan.
Monaghan United:
Injury: None
Doubtful: Brian Gartland
Suspension: Karl Bermingham
Referee:J Grimes
Extratime.ie Prediction: 1-1
Mick Cooke’s team came from 2-0 down to defeat Waterford 4-2 in their last game and despite the agonising EA Sports Cup final loss to Sligo preceded by an FAI Cup defeat the week before, Mons’ league form has been solid apart from one or two blips.
“Although I will be missing Karl Bermingham and possibly Brian Gartland otherwise I will have a full panel to select from, if we are to win promotion we will have to get results in all our remaining games so a share of the points on this occasion would be a good return,” the pragmatic Cooke says.
Shelbourne finished Cork’s four game unbeaten run, while also finishing their slim hopes of a place in the play-off, last weekend and Monaghan are the only other team to have defeated the Leesiders away from this year. United also took the points at Turner’s Cross in the league meeting between the two, while they also took the spoils in August in the FAI Cup thanks to Philly Hughes’ solitary strike.
Cork boss Tommy Dunne could give a first team debut to Kaelan Spillane, a former youth team player at the club. With Greg O’Halloran and Stephen Mulcahy out, Spillane could take his place next to Gavin Kavanagh in the heart of defence.
“We know it’s going to be a very tough game against Monaghan - we’re under no illusions," Dunne says. "We were quite happy with the some of the performances we’ve had against them, even if the results were disappointing. They’re a dogged team that seem to be able to grind out results and not just against us, against everybody.”
Paddypower.com Odds: Cork 6/5, Draw 11/5, Monaghan 15/8.
Cork City:
Injury: Cathal Lordan (knee), Greg O’Halloran, Neal Horgan.
Doubtful: George O’Callaghan, Stephen Mulcahy.
Suspension: Cillian Lordan.
Monaghan United:
Injury: None
Doubtful: Brian Gartland
Suspension: Karl Bermingham
Referee:J Grimes
Extratime.ie Prediction: 1-1
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