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Cork City -v- Derry City
- Alan Smith
- Thu, May 14 2009
Cork City welcome third place Derry City to Turner’s Cross tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm), in what will be a titanic tussle which could see either of the two sides go top of the table for 24 hours at least. A win for the Candystripes will move them to the summit, while a point would be enough for the Leesiders before Bohemians play Shamrock Rovers 24 hours later.
Yet again, Cork’s performances on the pitch have been overshadowed by their discrepancies off of it as the Revenue commissioner has sent out a winding-up order over unpaid taxes. Their form on the pitch, though, has been second to none and Paul Doolin, extratime’s Manager of the Month for April, remains positive.
“It will be a tough game for us, but we are looking forward to it and hopefully we will get a big crowd out to support us. It is important that we concentrate on our own game and that we continue to do the right things as we have been doing in recent weeks. Fortunately we have put ourselves in the position that a win would put us top of the table, continuing our good form and getting the three points is what will motivate us.”
The Leesiders looked like snatching the points at the Brandywell when the sides met earlier this year, but Derry scored twice late on to come away with a 2-1 win and it left the Cork boss unhappy. “Derry got the win when we met at the Brandywell earlier in the season, but as I said at the time I do believe we deserved something out of that game. We have managed to recover from that defeat and are now ahead of them in the table.”
Greg O’Halloran has been in excellent form for Cork at the back and he hopes to keep the Rebel Army’s excellent defensive run going against his former club. “The game against Derry is a massive game for us now, so hopefully Turner’s Cross will be packed out next Friday night and we can get another good result,” he said.
Derry boss, Stephen Kenny, proclaimed that: “We’ll not sit back against Cork,” but was also keen to outline his high opinion of tomorrow nights opposition. “They have had a good run of late and are two points ahead of us so they’ll be feeling confident and in fairness to Cork, I think they are a good side, so we must put in a very good performance to get the better of them again.”
Cork will be missing Danny Murphy through suspension, and Cillian Lordan is expected to come into the fray in his absence. The Leesiders also have a host of injury problems with Neal Horgan (Elbow), Davin O’Neill (Ankle), Billy Dennehy (Hamstring) and Shane Duggan (Ankle) all missing. There is some good news on the injury front though, as Stephen O’Donnell is expected to take a place on the bench though after he returned to training following a long absence, while Robert Mezeckis has also returned to full training after a lay-off with an ankle injury.
Derry will travel to Turner’s Cross with injury worries of their own. Clive Delaney is ruled out with a hip injury, while Gareth McGlynn is out with a hamstring strain. Ger O’Brien is also rated as a doubt, as he is struggling with a hamstring injury. The game will see Liam Kearney return to Cork, a club who he had two successful spells with.
Extratime.ie Prediction: It will be close but Cork should edge it. 1-0 to the home team.
About Alan Smith
Alan Smith works as a sub-editor for the Guardian newspaper in London. Originally from Cork, he freelances for several other newspapers and websites. Follow him on twitter @alansmith90.