Wexford Youths -v- Cork City

• Simon O'Gorman
• Sat, Oct 30 2010


Wexford Youths host Cork City Foras at Ferrycarrig Park on Saturday night as the curtain drops on this year’s Airtricity League First Division programme. (Kick-off, 7.45pm)

It is inevitable that, as the season winds down, certain games will cease to have any real significance to the clubs involved and, apart from pride, this is one of those occasions.

Both clubs have put in solid, mid-table performances and can be reasonably pleased with what they have achieved. However, with the ever ambitious Mick Wallace running the show at Wexford, and with a demanding public scrutinising the efforts of Tommy Dunne’s men, both of these teams would have hoped for a more significant role at this, the business end of the season.

The task for both managers now is to ensure that their respective players do themselves justice on a night when, in a schoolroom analogy, they might have preferred to bring in games than face up to a final day of hard work.

Cork have won all three of their previous meetings with the ‘Youths’ this year but Dunne is under no illusions that his side will need to perform if they are to get anything from this game. “Wexford have been tough opponents on each occasion that we have played them this season, but we have a good record against them and will be looking to continue this on Saturday. While we are now focussing on next season, we want to do things properly and end the season on a positive note and we hope to do that by winning the game.”

Cork’s recent form has been somewhat erratic. In the past four games they have beaten promotion hopefuls Monaghan but lost to Shelbourne, Finn Harps and, most surprisingly, Salthill Devon. No doubt there were some harsh words in the dressing room after their capitulation to the Galway side at Turner’s Cross last weekend and Wexford may yet suffer the backlash.

Noel O'Connor’s side are not in the best of form themselves but last weekend’s victory in Longford did at least end a run of four games without a win.

So, all things considered, this is a hard game to call but perhaps the visitor’s more convincing overall record will win out. Just.



Wexford Youths
Injured: Not available.
Doubtful: Not available.
Suspended: Anthony Wolfe.

Cork City Foras
Injured: Greg O’Halloran, Cathal Lordan, Stephen Mulcahy.
Doubtful: Cillian Lordan.
Suspended: None.

Referee: J McKell.

Extratime prediction: A 1-0 win for Cork.