Shelbourne -v- Cork City

SHELBOURNE

Cork City return to Tolka Park on Friday night, the venue where they clinched the First Division title last October with a late, late 94th minute goal. The result saw Cork leapfrog Shelbourne while the Reds finished the season in second place in the table. Kick-off in Tolka Park is 8pm.

Last week Shelbourne were comprehensively beaten 3-1 by Drogheda United, their only goal coming from a late penalty scored by Philly Hughes. On last week’s defeat to Drogheda United, Shelbourne manager Alan Mathews commented:

“We were very poor. We didn’t produce any of the qualities that are needed to win a football match. We were deservedly beaten 3-1”

On this week’s game with Cork City he added: “Both clubs have come back from the wilderness of the First Division, and it’s a game we are really looking forward to. Playing Cork at home is one of the big games of the season and should see two sides eager to play the game in the right manner.” 

Missing for Shelbourne this week are long term injury cases Lorcan Fitzgerald and Stephen Hurley, together with Stephen Paisley, who is suspended, following his red card in the dying minutes against Drogheda last Friday. 

CORK CITY

Tommy Dunne’s Cork City will arrive in Tolka Park tomorrow night seeking to claim their first away points (and away goal) of the season. Last week City were narrowly defeated by league leaders Sligo Rovers at Turner’s Cross and manager Tommy Dunne told CorkCityFC.net that there are positives his side can take from that fixture.

“It was a kick in the teeth to concede when we did against Sligo, but we can take positives out of the performance. They are a very good side, and we went toe to toe with them for much of the game and probably created more clear cut chances than them on the night. We want to try and get as many points on the board as soon as we can, and we have to aim to pick up a result tomorrow.”

“Tolka Park is always a tough place to go, and games between ourselves and Shelbourne there have always been tight affairs over the last couple of years. Although they suffered a defeat last week, they have started the season quite well and they have been more competitive than us up to now. Alan Mathews has put a good squad together there, but we are going up there with the intention of trying to pick up something out of the game, though it will be a tough game for us.”

John Dunleavy is ruled out for the next couple of weeks with a knee ligament injury, while Dunne also has doubts over Gearóid Morrissey (back), Shane O’Connor (foot) and Jamie Murphy (ankle). Stephen Mulcahy, Kevin Murray and Neal Horgan all remain sidelined with knee injuries.

Referee: Derek Tomney.

MATCH STATS

Cork City were the only team that Shelbourne failed to beat in the league last season, losing twice and drawing once in a game that handed Cork City the title.

A bumper crowd is expected in Tolka Park tomorrow night. So far this season Shelbourne have averaged 1,500 at their home games, while Cork City have averaged 3,339 at Turner’s Cross. Matches between the two teams last year averaged an attendance of 2,518.

Cork City have a goal difference that is two better than Shelbourne, yet find themselves five places and seven points behind them. This is primarily down to the Leesider's 6-0 win over Monaghan that accounts for six of their ten league goals this season.

BETTING

Shelbourne 11/10; Draw 11/5; Cork City 5/2.

PREDICTION

Shelbourne to scrape a 2-1 win.

Shelbourne injury news: Lorcan Fitzgerald, Stephen Hurley.
Shelbourne Suspension News: Stephen Paisley.

Cork City injury news: Stephen Mulcahy, Kevin Murray, Neal Horgan, Jamie Murphy (doubt), John Dunleavy, Shane O’Connor (doubt), Gearóid Morrissey (doubt).
Cork City Suspension News: None.