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Shelbourne -v- Cork City FORAS Co-op
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Apr 15 2010
Although it’s a new entity on Leeside, the old rivalry between Cork City and Shelbourne will be renewed Friday night when third meets fourth at Tolka Park (kick-off 8.00pm).
Cork come into the game in a rich vein of form with four wins on the bounce and they should certainly put it up to a Shels side which drew away to Athlone last time out.
Dermot Keely’s side will be missing some key personnel for the game though, with four players in total definitely absent from the clash.
Colin O’Brien was sent off against Athlone last weekend, and he will be joined on the sidelines by Michael Coburn (heel), Stephen Quigley and Michael Clarke (flu). Shels will also give David McGill a late fitness test as he struggles with a calf strain.
Shels are still unbeaten having picked up wins against Finn Harps, Longford Town and Salthill Devon so far this season, but they have also dropped points against Monaghan, Wexford Youths and Athlone.
City, meanwhile, have beaten Wexford and Longford at home in the past seven days, and a win at Tolka would see them overtake Shels and move into third place.
Tommy Dunne will plan without Gearoid Morrissey who is still struggling with a back injury, while the trio of Wille Heffernan, John Dineen and Eoin Forde are unlikely to feature after they returned from a trip to America.
Greg O’Halloran had been treated for a strain earlier in the week but he will travel to face his former club, while Dave Warren is also likely to be involved despite his mother being taken ill.
Dunne says his side are looking forward to the trip to the capital. "It's early in the season and it is a big game, as is any game between Shelbourne and Cork City. Tolka Park is a good venue for a game and we are looking forward to it.
"Dermot Keely always has his teams well organised, and they have been one of the top teams in this division over the last couple of years,” Dunne added when quizzed on tomorrow night’s opposition. “They will know that we will be going there looking for a result, so they will be well up for the game as will we and it should be a good game. We're going up there to give a hundred percent, looking for the three points and while it will be difficult, we are confident."
Venue: Tolka Park, Dublin
Paddypower.com Odds: Shelbourne 4/5, Draw 9/4, Cork 3/1
Shelbourne
Suspended: Colin O’Brien
Injured: Michael Coburn, Stephen Quigley, Michael Clarke
Doubtful: David McGill
Cork City
Suspended: none
Injured: Gearoid Morrissey
Doubtful: Eoin Forde, John Dineen, Willie Heffernan
Referee: R Rogers
Extratime Prediction: 1-1 draw.
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.