League Preview: Cork City -v- Athlone Town

• John O'Shea
• Fri, May 30 2014




CORK CITY 

Cork City will be looking for their fourth win in a row in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division, when they host Athlone Town at Turner’s Cross. After defeats to Dundalk and St Pats, The Rebel Army won their last three league games against Derry, Limerick and Bray, with all of these games taking place in the space of seven days.

 

Speaking ahead of the game, City manager John Caulfield is determined that the side get to the mid-season break by getting more positive results.

 

“We have trained very hard because we know how crucial the game against Athlone is. That night (May 9^th) driving back from St. Pat’s, we were four points off Pat’s and fourth in the table after two defeats in a week and, a week later, we are back to second in the table and two points off Dundalk; it’s a crazy league! We’re two games from the break and we need another positive result to keep us in there going into the break.”

 

Caulfield will have to do without Bill Dennehy, who is suspended following his red card in Bray.

 

Darren Murphy (hamstring) is out until after the break, as is Danny Morrissey who is now back in full training. Liam Kearney and Darren Dennehy are both rated as very doubtful.

 

Michael Rafter underwent an operation on his injured ankle on Wednesday and the club have confirmed that he will be out for the rest of the season.

 

The City boss also confirmed that Andy O’Connell has been released from the club in search of regular first team football.

 

ATHLONE TOWN 

Athlone Town make the trip south to Cork following their first league win of the season.  A 2-0 home win over UCD will boost the side’s confidence.

 

Athlone have had a difficult start to life back in the top flight and are bottom of the table with four points from their opening fourteen games. Those four points have been picked up in their last four games, with the Midlands side showing an improvement in form since the arrival of Keith Long as manager.  

 

The amount of ground they have to make up is pretty big, but football is a strange game at times and Athlone will keep fighting and believing that they can survive the drop over the coming weeks and months.

 

Keith Long heads into this game without James O’Brien who misses the match due to suspension and Athlone will also be without Aidan Collins, who again misses out with a continuing shoulder problem.

 

Referee:   Tomas Connolly

 

MATCH STATS 

Cork City’s first encounter with Athlone Town was at home (Flower Lodge) on December 16th 1984. Tony Neiland gave Cork City a 16th minute lead after good work from Bobby Woodruff down the left wing. However second half goals from Derek Carroll, Michael O’Connor (2) and Terry Eviston gave the visitors a 4-1 victory on the day.

 

If 2,623 people or more turn up to the league game with Athlone Town, total league attendances at Turner's Cross this year currently (28,821) will have eclipsed last year's total (31,443). Last year's total was achieved in 16 home games, and if this figure is surpassed on Friday it will have been done less than half way through the season - the Athlone game being the 8th home league game of 17 this year]

 

Athlone Town have not scored a goal against Cork City in their last five league meetings.

 

BETTING

 Cork City 2/5; Draw 16/5; Athlone Town 7/1.

 

PREDICTION     

Cork City 2-0 Athlone Town

 

Cork City

Injured: Danny Morrissey, Darren Murphy, Michael Rafter

Doubtful: Darren Dennehy and Liam Kearney

Suspended: Billy Dennehy

 

Athlone Town

Injured: Aidan Collins

Doubtful: None

Suspended:  James O’Brien