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Cork City -v- Longford Town
- Alan Smith
- Fri, May 06 2011
Cork City will face a certain stiff test when they host surprise First Division package of the season so far, Longford Town, at Turner’s Cross on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm).
Both sides are currently locked on 18 points in second place, though Longford have a game in hand, and with first cousins Tommy Dunne and Tony Cousins knowing each other so well, it’s sure to be an interesting night on Leeside.
City are still unbeaten but surrendered top spot to Shelbourne last weekend when the bye week finally caught up with them, so will be hoping for another win ahead of next week’s meeting with the current leaders.
Town are going to be very difficult to overcome though and with Don Cowan getting off to a great start to the season, the Cork rearguard could be in for a busy night, something that hasn’t happened very often to date in 2011.
The home team will be without the services of the suspended Mark McNulty, while captain Greg O’Halloran is ruled out with a knee injury. Alan Carey remains sidelined with an Achilles problem, though Stephen Mulcahy could make his first league appearance of the season and Derek O’Brien is back in contention after a spell out with a groin strain.
Dunne is, as always, expecting a tough encounter, while he isn’t in the least shocked at how his close relation has got Longford to joint second position.
“At the start of the season, I tipped Longford as one of the teams that would be capable of challenging, and I don’t think too many people would have agreed with me, but they are a capable side and I think they have every chance of maintaining that form over the season.
“Longford will provide us with a stern test. From a defensive point of view, they are strong, having conceded just six times in their nine games so far, giving them one of the best defensive records in the division.
“We have scored ten goals in our last two league games, and that is something that really pleases me. Along with scoring goals, we have stayed solid at the back, and I think that has played an important part in giving us a platform to attack teams.
“We want to keep the momentum of recent weeks going, and we will have to turn in another good performance if we want to claim the three points.”
Longford travel south with both Graham Dowling and Michael Lee out of contention with a knee and an ankle injury respectively, but other than that Cousins has a full squad to choose from.
Cork City
Injured: Alan Carey (Achilles), Greg O’Halloran (knee)
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Mark McNulty.
Longford Town
Injured: Graham Dowling (knee), Michael Lee (groin).
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Referee: Phil Caschera.
Paddy Power Odds: Cork City 8/13, Draw 12/5, Longford Town 9/2.
Extratime prediction: Cork, but only narrowly. 1-0.
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.