Cork City vs Bohemians

• Simon Carter
• Thu, Aug 07 2008




Turner’s Cross will host a top of the table clash as third place Cork City entertain leaders Bohemians, fresh from their midweek victory over Shamrock Rovers. (Kick-off 19:45).

The 18th May was the last time Cork City lost a league game and that against Friday’s opponents in Dalymount Park. Cork have been on fire since, winning 26 out of a possible 30 points. Last week Cork ground out a tough but impressive one nil win against Sligo.

Cork City manager Alan Mathews told CorkCityFC.ie: “We returned to winning ways in Sligo on Sunday, where we picked up three valuable points with a very hard-working and committed performance. Bohs are top of the table on merit, but we come into the game with a good run of form behind us, and it is important that we apply ourselves to get the right result.”

Liam Kearney and Pat Sullivan return to the squad having missed the game in Sligo through suspension, while John O’Flynn came through another substitute appearance unscathed as he continues his impressive return from injury. New signing Lawrie Dudfield (calf) and midfielder Colin Healy (knee) were both substituted in the win at Sligo having suffered knocks, but both are expected to be available tomorrow night.

Speaking after training today, City boss Mathews said he hopes that there will be a large and vocal crowd at Turner’s Cross tomorrow evening for this highly-anticipated encounter: “The support we have received from Rebel Army has been excellent all season, both at Turner’s Cross and further afield, and I would ask people to get behind us again from the off tomorrow night to push the team forward in what will hopefully be an excellent game of football.”

Bohemians are four points clear at the top of the table with a game in hand, and a win in this fixture will put 10 points of Cork.

Bohemians Manager, Pat Fenlon however is fully aware of how tough this trip to Turner's Cross will be. He said, "I don't believe that this game is any more difficult than the recent league game in Derry or the derby with Rovers but it is another difficult tie. Cork have a great squad, a very strong midfield and they have the the league's top scorer in Dave Mooney. It will be another stern test for us but we will be going out with the intention of winning the game and I will pick a team to achieve that. Our approach will be no different to any other game."

Fenlon will be without Ken Oman (Ankle), Jason McGuinness (Knee), Liam Burns (Hamstring) and Glenn Cronin (Knee)

The game kicks off at 19:45.

The bookies have installed Cork as favourites in this clash with odds of 5-4. Bohs are at 15-8 whilst a draw is 21-10. The Extratime prediction of this game is a 1-1 draw.