Drogheda United -v- Cork City

• P.J. Murray
• Sun, Mar 31 2013




DROGHEDA UNITED

The Boynesiders will feel somewhat aggrieved not to be going into this Easter Monday game on the back of a win. Leading Dundalk 2-0 at Oriel, a sixty second period saw Drogheda settle for a point.

 

But the score-line doesn’t tell the whole story, Drogheda controlled and dominated the game and should have seen it out. But there are things you can’t legislate for in football and Drogheda will know they are capable of stringing together solid performances.

 

Mick Cooke will be boosted by the return of Alan McNally, Gary O’Neill and Derek Prendergast, all three have been missing for the last few weeks, while McNally has yet to feature this season. However, it’s not all positive as Ryan Brennan has been listed as a doubt having picked up a slight hamstring injury. Alan Byrne will be suspended following his red card against Dundalk on Thursday night.

 

Speaking ahead of the game the Drogheda manager said that despite the result on Thursday, there are positives to take, “I thought we played well on Thursday night, we controlled the game, but as you saw, games can change so quickly and we came away with a point. I thought we held out well with ten-men, but we are playing well at the moment. There is a good sense of confidence in the squad.

 

“I went to see Cork on Friday night and they did well when down to ten-men and they were unlucky not to come away with a win. But they are playing well this season and will put it up to any team this season.”


CORK CITY

The Leesiders came within a kick of taking all three points from Tallaght on Friday night. Having gone down to ten-men they held out for 25 minutes with a man less, but ultimately it wasn’t enough to keep Rovers out.

 

The Leesiders travel to Drogheda having played a league game less than the Boynesiders, but they will also be making their second journey to the East in four days and will have a day’s less rest than Drogheda.

 

For Cork, last season was about consolidation, but this season there is more expected of Tommy Dunne’s side and to do that they will have to start putting wins on the board and they will view this as a chance to add three points to their current haul.

 

The sides met three times last season and all three were highly entertaining encounters, both games in Turners Cross ended with five goals scores. While Cork’s last game at Hunky Dorys Park ended in a 2-1 defeat.

 

Tommy Dunne will have to plan without the services of Darren Dennehy who was sent off against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.  Brian Lenihan is still on the long-term injury list. Daryl Horgan was considered a doubt on Friday, but played 70 minutes before coming off, however Monday might be too soon for another game. Neal Horgan is also a doubt for Monday aftertoon.

 

Referee: Neil Doyle.

 

MATCH STATS
Cork have yet to win on the road, they have also yet to lose, having recorded two draws.

Since losing to St Pats on the first day of the season, Drogheda are on a four game unbeaten run

 

BETTING

Drogheda United 13/10, Draw 21/10, Cork City 21/10

 

PREDICTION

Cork were pushed to the limit on Friday, a day’s more travel and a day’s less rest will see Drogheda edge this 2-1

 

Drogheda United

Injured: None
Doubtful: Ryan Brennan
Suspended: Alan Byrne

 

Cork City

Injured: Brian Lenihan.
Doubtful: Neal Horgan, Daryl Horgan.
Suspended: Darren Dennehy.