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Cork City -v- Monaghan United
- Alan Smith
- Thu, Mar 31 2011
Cork City will have a frosty welcome for Roddy Collins and Monaghan United when they visit Turner’s Cross on Friday night (kick-off 7.45pm), after the Dubliner had some harsh comments about the Leesiders in the build-up to the most hotly anticipated First Division clash of the weekend.
Collins proclaimed that City boss Tommy Dunne is a ‘boy in a man’s job,’ before stating that if he doesn’t get the club promoted this season he ‘should be shot.’ Roddy had a brief stint in charge of City last season, but didn’t take charge of the team in a competitive game, and is likely to incur some wrath from the home support after he also ridiculed some current and former players at the club.
His Monaghan side travel south without the services of the suspended Alan Byrne and injured duo Paul Whelan and Dom Tierney, although Declan O’Brien looks likely to make his debut. There is of course even extra spice as Dave Rogers makes a return to Turner’s Cross after falling out with club midway through last season.
All four meetings between the sides last season finished 1-0, with Mons triumphing on three of those occasions, although both of Monaghan’s scorers last year (Philly Hughes and Brian Gartland) have now left the club. Cork, meanwhile, have won their two home games to date by the same scoreline, so expect little between the sides.
Cork boss Dunne hasn’t responded to Roddy’s claims, instead choosing to focus on last week’s disappointing away result to Athlone and highlighting the expectancy at the club.
“We have had a reasonably good start to the season, but are somewhat disappointed to have claimed only two points in our two away games. Last year we conceded too many goals and at the other end we didn’t score enough. This year, we have improved significantly on the defensive side of things, and now we need to progress on the goalscoring side.
“At this club there is expectancy on the team, so it is important that players don’t rest on their laurels. We need every member of the squad to be hungry to train and work to claim a place in the team, and if they’re not, at a club of this size, they will not keep their place in the team.
“We had some good games against Monaghan last season, and I think a lot of credit has to go to Mick Cooke who built a very good squad there and had them performing really well last season. They have enjoyed a good start to this season also, and they will be tough opponents for us, but we are the home team and we will go out looking for the three points.”
The home side will be still without Alan Carey and Stephen Mulcahy – who could make a long-awaited comeback to the defence against Waterford United next week – and Derek O’Brien is also rated as 50/50 after he strained his groin last time out against Athlone.
Cork City
Injured:Stephen Mulcahy, Alan Carey.
Doubtful: Derek O’Brien.
Suspended: None.
Monaghan United
Injured: Paul Whelan, Dom Tierney.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Alan Byrne.
Referee: James McKell.
Paddy Power Odds: Cork City 21/20 - Draw 11/5 - Monaghan United 23/10.
Extratime prediction: What must be considered a goalfest at the ‘Cross – 2-1 to Cork.
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.