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Cork City Foras Co-op -v- Waterford United
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Mar 11 2010
Cork City FORAS Co-op may be struggling to put together a squad of more than sixteen players, but Tommy Dunne's charges will fancy their chances of taking a scalp at home to a Waterford United side with strong title aspirations (kick-off 7.45pm).
Undoubtedly, Waterford are stronger but the buzz of Cork's first ever home game could see them take a point, if not all three, at what is expected to be a busy Turner's Cross.
Stephen Henderson’s side easily dispatched of Wexford Youths in series one, hammering their south-east neighbours 3-0 at the RSC. Five of the Blues’ players have played for Cork before, and two of them, Alan Carey and Vinny Sullivan, were on the scoresheet against Youths last Friday.
Kevin Murray, Gareth Cambridge and Liam Kearney complete the quintet, and certainly all five will be looking to get a win at their former stomping ground. Kearney was perhaps the most popular on Leeside and a goal, particularly in front of the Shed End, would be all too sweet for the ‘Conna Maradona.’
Nevertheless, Cork have hot-shot striker Graham Cummins in their ranks, and having scored seventeen times for Waterford last season, he could prove to be the difference if the home team are to get off to a perfect start at Turner’s Cross.
Dave Warren is likely to make his debut for the ‘new’ club after he signed for Cork in midweek. Warren is another former Waterford United player and his first division experience could prove vital in Cork’s performances on the pitch this season.
The news that Shane Duggan and another former-Blue Mick Devine have also signed for the Leesiders comes as welcome news, though on paper Waterford should have too much.
The away side have no injury worries coming into the game and Henderson’s men look like favourites on paper. Cork, meanwhile, have doubts over the fitness of Davin O’Neill and Ian Turner, who have picked up hamstring and groin strains respectively.
Venue: Turner’s Cross, Cork
Referee: Paul Tuite
Paddypower.com Odds: Cork 17/10, Draw 21/10, Waterford 11/8
Cork City FORAS Co-op
Injured: none
Doubtful: Davin O’Neill (hamstring), Ian Turner (groin)
Suspended: none
Waterford United
Injured: none
Doubtful: none
Suspended: none
Prediction: 1-1
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.