Bohemian FC -v- Cork City FC

• Graeme McQueen
• Fri, Apr 03 2009


Bohemians will be looking to maintain their impressive start to the season and keep pace with joint leaders Derry City when they welcome Cork City to Dalymount Park on Friday night (kick-off 7.35pm). The Gypsies have been in fine form, dropping points only to Derry in their opening four games, and already they look on course to retain their title.

Fenlon fury
Last year's double winners have started the campaign in eye-catching fashion, with three wins and a draw from their opening four matches. Their most recent victory came last weekend when an early Anto Murphy strike secured maximum points at Drogheda United, after previous wins over Dundalk (1-0) and Shamrock Rovers (2-0) as well as a draw with Derry (1-1). Looking back on the victory at United Park, Bohs manager Pat Fenlon declared himself content with the three points but disappointed by his side's overall performance. "Despite the win last week, the performance left a lot to be desired," he said. "We need to raise our standards again and try to reach the level we played at against Rovers."

Cork contenders
Looking ahead to the game against Cork, who lost to both Saint Patrick's Athletic and Derry after an opening day draw in Sligo, Fenlon said: "Cork are a very decent team. Over the years in the league they have been one of the most consistent sides. They have lost a few players in the off season but they have managed to bring in one or two as well. They brought in two players from FK Riga, a side that Bohs fans will remember well. That suggests to me that Cork have brought in some quality that will see them moving towards the upper reaches of the table. They have probably been a bit unlucky to lose the games they did but I don’t think they will be too far away from the top when it matters the most. Having said that, I believe that this is a game we can win."

Doolin determined
Cork will make the trip north in good spirits themselves after their first win of the season last Friday when they defeated Bray Wanderers 2-1 on Leeside, a result which lifted them to fifth in the table. However, Paul Doolin's men can barely afford to lose this encounter as they already trail the leaders by six points. Doolin is looking for his side to kick on from last week's win but is under no illusions about the size of the task awaiting them at Dalymount. “Bohs go into the game in good form with three wins and a draw so far, but to be fair to us, we have been playing well also," he said. "We are looking forward to the game, Dalymount Park is a good place to play, so hopefully it will be a good game and hopefully we can get a good result. If anything, Bohs are probably stronger than they were last season, with the players that they have signed, but we have been playing well and we want to turn in another good performance at Dalymount.”

Cork boosted
Bohs will be without midfielder Gary Deegan who is suspended, while Neale Fenn is also a major doubt through injury. Cork's chances have been boosted by the return of both Pat Sullivan and Shane Duggan from suspension, however, Latvian central defender Robert Mezeckis will sit out through injury. Long-term absentee Stephen O’Donnell also misses out against his former club. Otherwise, Doolin has a full squad to choose from.

extratime.ie prediction: Bohs should shade it. 1-0.