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Cork City Foras Co-op -v- Monaghan United
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Apr 22 2010
Cork City host Monaghan United at Turner’s Cross Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm), knowing that a win for either side could really stake a claim in becoming promotion challengers.
Both sides are tied in fourth at the moment, with Mons having a slightly better goal difference than City and depending on the result up in the Brandywell, where Derry entertain third place Shels, the winners of this tie could move up into third place as we near the end of the opening series of games.
Mick Cooke’s team will be coming into to the tie in buoyant mood having caused a surprise by beating pacesetters Waterford United at Gortakeegan last weekend, adding to two 6-1 victories on the bounce against Tullamore Town and Salthill Devon. However, the Leesiders are unbeaten in six so the large home support should expect a tight game at the ‘Cross.
Mons have been defending resolutely after scoring some early goals in recent games and should they take the lead against City, the home side will certainly find it hard to break them down. “Our defence against Waterford United was excellent; it soaked up the best that was thrown at it,” Cooke says.
“Our trip to Turners Cross will not be easy; it will be my first trip there with United. Were it not for matters off the field, Cork would be still in the Premier Division and so far they have retained the standard of football from the upper division and are chasing top spot in the League behind Waterford United. It will be tough to get anything at Turners Cross.
“However our side is performing well, we are conceding few goals and our scoring is above average. Injuries are our main problem in so far it has been impossible to maintain any consistency in selection. It will be a very partisan crowd we will be playing before as the long trip will deter many of our supporters for travelling. If we can replicate our recent form a point is well within our grasp."
In the opposite dugout to Cooke will be Tommy Dunne, who has seen his young charges improve with every game, and he will be happy to get back playing on a decent pitch after last week’s poor surface at Tolka Park.
“The way we play, we try and open up the game but we need a good pitch to do that," he said. "The pitch the other night [against Shels] was bordering on dangerous. There will be wear and tear - we'll have it with Turner's Cross, possibly towards the end of May - but at least it will always be generally in good condition whereas the pitch at Tolka Park was absolutely disgraceful.”
Dunne will be expecting a tough challenge against United, and he wasn’t a bit shocked by their 1-0 win over the Suirsiders last week. "I wasn't too surprised by (last Friday's) result because Monaghan are a strong team. I saw them in pre-season and I thought they were quite decent with some good players around the pitch. It's going to be a tough game for us again, and we need to be on top of our game and firing on all cylinders. We also need to be a little more diligent defensively.
"Home games are important are far as picking up wins is concerned – anything on the road is a bonus for us,” he added. “At the end of it all, the players themselves already have a pretty high standard and high expectations. A good percentage of the squad have competed at the highest level in the Premier Division, so you want to see that expectation from fellas who have been there before."
Cork will be without the services of Gearoid Morrisey, although Dave Warren is expected to make his return to the fold after missing out last week due to personal reasons. Mons, meanwhile, will be without the services of injured duo Shane Grimes and striker Darragh Hanaphy.
Referee: R Rogers
Venue: Turner’s Cross, Cork
Paddypower.com Odds: Cork 4/5, Draw 9/4, Monaghan 3/1
Cork City FORAS Co-op:
Suspensions: None
Doubtful: None
Injured: Gearoid Morrissey
Monaghan United:
Suspensions: None
Doubtful: n/a
Injured: Shane Grimes, Darragh Hanaphy
Extratime Prediction: Cork to edge it 2-1.
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.