Shamrock Rovers -v- Cork City

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Take a quick glance at the last six Shamrock Rovers league results and you’ll notice something different to the past two seasons – a distinct lack of wins. There has been one, a 3-1 triumph at home to Drogheda United, but that’s sandwiched between four draws and that humbling 3-0 loss away to Sligo.

Yet, as manager Stephen Kenny was keen to highlight, since that turgid performance in Sligo, that the Hoops have shipped just one goal in the last three games, four if you include last week’s cup victory over Limerick.

Kenny said: “We have only conceded one goal in the last three games, and that was a late consolation when we were winning well against Drogheda. That is a result of us tightening up at the back and we will be looking to keep another clean sheet tomorrow night.

“We are expecting a tough game against Cork, but it is important that we get a good result. We have to concentrate on ourselves and play the way we know we can. Obviously with the game coming just before the break everyone will be looking for a win, and we are no different.”

Kenny remains without the services of Ciaran Kilduff, while Sean Gannon and Ken Oman also look set to be sidelined for the visit of a Cork side that came so close to defeating the champions when they met in Turner’s Cross back in March.

CORK CITY

A 94^th minute leveler from Gary Twigg on the eve of St Patrick’s Day denied the First Division champions their inaugural win of the campaign but fast forward two months and Cork have become a transformed side.

Having gone six games without a win, Tommy Dunne’s team have lost just once in the last seven, claiming 14 points from a possible 21. They’ve been scoring plenty of goals too, though the most striking statistic heading into their visit to Tallaght is the fact that they’ve conceded a goal less than the champions, even though the Hoops are second and City currently reside in seventh.

Dunne’s team come into the game on the back of a 6-1 hammering of Athlone Town in the cup last weekend and are quite high in confidence. Going on the 1-1 draw two months ago, the manager reckons that they are better equipped than before to get a result.

“We performed reasonably well against Rovers in our previous meeting; they had quite a bit of possession, but we possibly had the more clear-cut chances on the night. I think we are a better side now than we were then.

 “We realise that it will be a tough ask, so we need to start the game well, and move the ball around. I think if we play to our potential and cut out the mistakes that have hurt us on a number of occasions this season, then we will give ourselves a good chance of getting a positive result.”

He has plenty of injury problems however, with Stephen Mulcahy, Neal Horgan, Kevin Murray, Shane O’Connor definitely ruled out while there are doubts over former Rovers skipper Dan Murray, Gearóid Morrissey, Colin Healy and top scorer Davin O’Neill.

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH STATS

Three Cork City players have formerly played with Shamrock Rovers: Dan Murray, Danny Murphy and Tadhg Purcell.

Two Shamrock Rovers players previously plied their trade at Turner’s Cross: Billy Dennehy and Stephen O’Donnell.

The last competitive meeting between these sides saw Gary Twigg steal a point for the Hoops in Turner’s Cross on March 16 with a 94^th minute goal.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 8/15; Draw 16/5; Cork City 6/1.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 1-1 Cork City.

Shamrock Rovers Injury News:  Ciaran Kilduff, Sean Gannon, Ken Oman.

Shamrock Rovers Suspension News: None.

Cork City Injury News: Stephen Mulcahy, Neal Horgan, Kevin Murray, Shane O’Connor, Dan Murray, Gearóid Morrissey, Colin Healy, Davin O’Neill.

Cork City Suspension News: Danny Murphy.