Cork City -v- Limerick FC

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Sep 02 2011


Denis Behan and Joe Gamble return to Turner’s Cross on Saturday night wearing the blue of LImerick FC as Pat Scully’s men attempt to close the three point gap between themselves and second placed Cork City. (Kick off, 5pm)

Both Limerick and Cork won through to the FAI Cup quarter finals last weekend and while Cork City were widely expected to overcome Wexford Youths, which they did thanks to a single Davin O’Neill goal, Limerick had to overcame a raft of injuries and absentees to beat Premier Division Bray Wanderers 4-0 at the Carlisle Grounds in what was, frankly, a bizarre game of football.

Pat Scully was short eight injured players for that game. He was also down two cup-tied players and one who was suspended. All eight injured players are likely to remain out for the clash with Cork but Scully will be relieved that Rory Gaffney and Shaun Kelly are eligible and that Brian McCarthy returns from suspension.

By comparison, Tommy Dunne’s problems are miniscule. He will be without goalkeeper Mark McNulty and defender Stephen Mulcahy with Greg O’Halloran also rated as extremely doubtful with a hamstring problem. French midfielder Vincent Escude-Candau is another doubt while Shane Duggan misses out through suspension.

In the build up to the game Dunne spoke to the club website saying, “Limerick are never easy opponents, but we would like to think that we will be tough opponents for them too. Every game between here and the end of the season is a big game, and we are looking forward to this game and we will be trying to get a positive result.”

City will be buoyed by their recent league form which has seen them win five and draw one of their last six games. The Rebels haven’t lost since their 3-2 reverse against south coast rivals Waterford United back in late June, their only league defeat this season.

Limerick have a similarly impressive record having won five of their last seven league games, with one draw and one defeat making up the numbers. Their away form is even better with the Shannonsiders unbeaten in their last nine league journeys. In fact, the last time Limerick were beaten on their travels was way back in March when a Declan O’Brien goal saw them beaten at Turner’s Cross against Cork City.

Cork City
Injured: Mark McNulty, Stephen Mulcahy.
Doubtful: Greg O’Halloran, Vincent Escude-Candau.
Suspended: Shane Duggan.

Limerick FC
Injured: Dave Ryan, Garry Sheahan, Stephen O’Flynn, James O’Brien, Brian O’Callaghan, Shaun Maher, Shane Tracy, John Frost.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.

Referee: James McKell.
Paddy Power Odds: Cork 11/10; Draw 11/5; Limerick 11/5.
Extratime prediction: Limerick’s injuries may prove too much on this occasion - Cork City to win 2-0.