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Cork City -v- Limerick
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Mar 17 2011
Although the table matters for zilch at this early stage of the season, there’s an early top of the table clash as Limerick make the short trip south to face Cork City at Turner’s Cross on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Both sides are among the favourites to be in the shake-up for promotion at the end of the year, and a win for either side here will see them move to the top on their own for 24 hours at least. Limerick could only draw their opening game away to Finn Harps, but they were on fire at home to Salthill Devon last week to move top on goal-difference ahead of Cork and Mervue United.
Indeed, City will be disappointed not to have moved to the early summit on their own after they could only draw 1-1 away to Mervue on a miserable evening last Friday night, after an opening night victor over Wexford Youths.
The home side’s boss has admitted his team need to set out to win all their home games if they want to be promoted, but Pat Scully’s side will be a tough proposition as they too want to be making strides towards the Premier Division.
Limerick travel to Leeside without the services of Gary Sheahan and Dave Ryan, both with fractured legs that will see them sidelined for the long-term, while Thomas Lyons is also absent because of strained ankle ligaments. Chris Breen is a doubt with a hip injury, while Scully is also without Pat Purcell, Stephen O’Flynn and Corey Tracey, who are all suspended.
Nonetheless, the Lims boss remains upbeat that they can get a result. “Cork and ourselves have been tipped to be in the shake up at the end of the season and looking at both teams you can see why: we have both strengthened our panels from last season. These are big games, but it’s so important that our players focus on their performance and their concentration levels,” Scully said.
“Any error, just as much as a touch of class, can be the reason as to who wins out in the end, but I feel if we express ourselves and show the spirit, quality and most importantly the character that we have in the squad, we will come away with a positive result.”
Cork, however, are nearer to full strength and manager Dunne is expecting a big tussle against their Munster rivals. “Without wishing to be disrespectful to either of our two previous opponents, I believe Limerick will be tougher opposition than what we have faced in our opening two games. They have had two decent results in their opening games, and they will make it difficult for us on Friday.
“I think it will be a hard-fought game, and also one that will be entertaining for supporters, so I would hope that we will have another big crowd out for the tie as we did in the opening game.” Stephen Mulcahy is the only player ruled out through injury, though he has returned to training this week, while Ian Turner is suspended. “Stephen came back into full training this week. I would think he is still at least four weeks away from coming back into the team as he works on his fitness, but it is a boost to have him back training with the rest of the lads.”
Cork City:
Injured: Stephen Mulcahy
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Ian Turner.
Limerick:
Injured: Gary Sheahan, Dave Ryan, Thomas Lyons.
Doubtful: Chris Breen.
Suspended: Stephen O’Flynn, Corie Tracey, Pat Purcell.
Referee: Sean Grant
Paddy Power Odds: Cork City 13/10 - Draw 9/4 - Limerick 7/4.
Extratime prediction: A 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.