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Cork City -v- Galway United
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Apr 23 2009
In-form Cork City welcome Galway United to Turner’s Cross tomorrow night (kick-off 7.45pm), as the home team look to make it seven games unbeaten in all competitions. Galway, meanwhile, come into the game on the back of a 3-1 defeat, last weekend, at the hands of Gary Twigg and Shamrock Rovers
Galway started the season excellently but have just one win from the last six games. Ian Foster’s team defeated basement club Drogheda United the week before last, however their last win before that was against a struggling Dundalk. Saying that, the Tribesmen are still unbeaten on the road and Cork will find it very hard to break them down.
The Rebel Army are in third position, which is excellent considering their relatively poor start to the campaign, and Paul Doolin is delighted with how his team is performing at present. “I felt after our first pre-season game that we were playing as individuals rather than as a team, but the players are working well and I think we are becoming more of a unit. I think it will take time for us to gel fully, but we are moving in the right direction and the main thing is to build on what we have done already. We’ve been on a good run, but we’re not getting carried away as the important thing is that we develop consistency.”
The two sides met in pre-season and it ended up 2-2 at Terryland Park and the Cork boss knows this game will be equally as tough. “We faced Galway in a pre-season friendly and I thought that they were a decent side. They may have surprised some people with their good start to the season, but they performed well against us in that game and I am sure they will prove to be difficult opponents again here tonight.” Adding, “I believe we have improved since our encounter in pre-season, and regardless of who our opponents are, we will want to win our home games.”
Neal Horgan is still out with an arm injury, while Stephen O’Donnell remains a long term absentee. Robert Mezeckis is nearing full fitness but Greg O’Halloran has done excellently at the back and has played a pivotal part in the Leesiders unbeaten run. This game is expected to be too soon for the Latvian defender. Davin O’Neill is also a doubt for the game with an ankle injury.
Galway are expected to travel south without the services of John Russell, who is still on his way back to full fitness despite playing an hour in the EA Sports Cup tie against Salthill last week, while Shane Fitzgerald will also miss out because of an ankle injury. Seán Kelly will not be involved for the Tribesmen, due to the conditions of his loan move from Cork at the beginning of the season.
The home team are strong favourites with the bookmakers and are available at 8/15. Galway are 9/2 to travel back to the east with the points, while the draw is 5/2. Meanwhile, the tie will be officiated by Mr Neil Doyle.
Extratime.ie Prediction: Cork will find Galway difficult to break down so it won’t be a high-scoring affair. We go for a 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.