Bohemians -v- Cork City

BOHEMIANS
Bohemians welcome Cork City to Dalymount Park this Friday night hoping to find their scoring boots – the Gypsies having not scored a league goal this season. Sitting bottom of the table with just one point, Aaron Callaghan’s team are determined to get points on the board as they begin a series of matches against clubs closest to them in the table.

“Our performances have been good but unfortunately, the results haven’t. We need to change those performances into results and we’re hoping to do that in the next few games.” Callaghan said.

While Bohemians have won many compliments for matching the league champions for most of last weekend’s match, Callaghan is getting the team to concentrate on getting the basics done well – closing down opponents who are in threatening positions and getting more players into the box to meet crosses.

“We are rebuilding, we are developing a team system and that takes time. We have had a run of games against the teams that are most likely to finish towards the top of the table,” Callaghan said.

His squad is facing a big challenge and they are up for it, he insists. “We are in a huge transition in the club, on and off the park. Board members, members, supporters, volunteers, players – we are hugely united in trying to progress the club. It doesn’t happen overnight.”

The Bohemian manager is hoping for a change of fortune in the "league within a league" of teams currently in the lower half. But Callaghan knows Cork City will represent tough opposition and their results don’t reflect the potential of a squad with plenty of experience.

They have led in several matches [against Bray Wanderers, Drogheda United and Shamrock Rovers], he notes, only to concede late equalisers or winning goals.

Callaghan has an almost-complete squad available but midfielder Dwayne Wilson will miss Friday’s match due to a long-standing family commitment. Luke Byrne, Andy Mulligan and Keith Murray have all recently been suffering from flu but all return and there are no suspensions or injuries.

CORK CITY
Like Bohemians, Cork City are also in search of their first victory of the season going into Friday night’s game. Last Friday night they took an early lead through loan signing Tadhg Purcell, only to lose their advantage through a Jason Byrne second half strike.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.net, City boss Tommy Dunne said:  “Something has to give in this game; either Bohs will score or we will keep a clean sheet. I watched their game with Shamrock Rovers and I thought they did quite well. They have a young team, but they looked very solid at the back and it took a moment of magic to break the deadlock.”

“From our point of view, we need to be positive and also to keep things tight at the back. I am told that the pitch at Dalymount is not in the best of condition which will not help the way we want to play, but we will be going there looking to claim the three points.”

Stephen Mulcahy, Kevin Murray and Neal Horgan all remain sidelined with knee injuries. Dunne also has doubts over John Dunleavy who has only just returned to training after missing last week’s draw with Bray with flu, while Tadhg Purcell is also a doubt with an ankle injury.

Referee : Pádraigh Sutton

MATCH STATS

Bohemians have not scored a league goal in 181 days. They have now gone 630 minutes in the league without scoring – a run which stretches back to a 2-0 win over UCD last October 8^th.

Cork City have not kept a clean sheet in the league in 181 days. They have only kept one clean sheet in their last ten league games – this being away to Salthill Devon also on 8^th October last.

The Gypsies have won eight of the last ten league meetings between the two sides, with the Leesiders winning the other two.

BETTING

Bohemians 17/10; Draw 2/1; Cork City 17/10

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1-2 Cork City

Bohemians Injury News: Dwayne Wilson (personal reasons)

Bohemians Suspension News: None

Cork City Injury News: Stephen Mulcahy (knee), Kevin Murray (knee), Neal Horgan (knee), John Dunleavy (flu – doubt), Tadhg Purcell (ankle – doubt)

Cork City Suspension News: None