League Preview: Cork City -v- Bohemians

• Josh Dolan
• Thu, Oct 16 2014



CORK CITY
The Rebels are set to take to the Turner’s Cross turf once more this season as they continue their quest for the 2014 SSE Airtricity League Premier Division title.
 
Following Dundalk’s stalemate with Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday night, City know that if they can see off Bohemians and if Bray Wanderers can earn a shock result at home to top of the table Dundalk then they could be top of the table heading into the final game of the season away at title rivals Dundalk.
 
However having already seen City lose and draw at the hands of Friday night’s opponents Bohemians, Cork Boss John Caulfield  has called for focus and intensity ahead of  the visit of The Gypsies to Turner’s Cross, on Friday night.
 
“They (Bohemians) have taken points off all of the top teams. We need to play with a really high intensity and be up for the game from the start. We are up against a team that we haven’t beaten yet this season,” Caulfield told the  assembled press, at the club’s weekly press conference, ahead of Friday night’s game.
 
Having been behind league leaders, Dundalk for the majority of the season, Caulfield insists that it is essential for the Munster outfit to continue to win and heap pressure on The Louth side, in order to take the title challenege to the last game of the Premier Division season, away at The Lilywhites.
 
“The situation for us over the last six or seven weeks has always been that we have had to keep the pressure on and see could we bring it to the last game of the season. We know that if we don’t take the points on Friday night, then it won’t go to the last game.”
 
“There’ll be a fantastic crowd at Turner’s Cross and it is really important that we give a good performance and make sure that we bring it to the last game of the season.”
 
Michael Rafter and Danny Morrissey will both miss Friday night’s penultimate game through injury, while Josh O’Shea and Gearóid Morrissey remain doubts, after injury.
 
The home-side are expecting a sizeable crowd at Turner’s cross on Friday night and the club have asked fans to arrive early, in order to avoid ques.
 
 
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians travel south on Friday night in the attempt of ending their opponents title dreams.
 
Gypsies Boss Owen Heary is aware of the  size of the challenge that Friday night’s tie with second place Cork poses, however he believes that the City players will have doubt in their minds having already lost to The Gypsies on two occasions this season.
 
“We know there’s going to be a big crowd there, and they’re vying for the title. We expect a very tough game but there will be a bit of doubt in their minds, from the fact that they haven’t beaten us this season,” Heary explained.
 
Despite having little left to play for in terms of honours, this season, the Bohs Boss believes that Friday night’s fixture still holds a degree of importance for his side.
 
“They’re a physical team, they’re strong, and they’ll go out to win the game. But the three points are as vital to us as they are to them. We want to move up the table.”
 
Being without a number of senior players through injury will give Heary a chance to  give some of his younger squad players the opportunity and the experience of playing in front of a packed house and he has challenged these players to relish and enjoy the challenge of facing Cork on Friday night.
 
“We like to have a go at teams and we have younger players who should have no fear playing Cork in front of a packed house. They should enjoy the occasion,” the 38 year old insisted.
 
Heary will be without defenders Derek Pender and Dan Byrne through injury, Aidan Price and Paddy Kavanagh will also miss the trip through suspension, while Roberto Lopes is unavailable due to academic commitments.
 
 
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
 
 
Match Facts
Bohs haven’t beaten The Rebels at Turner’s Cross in the league since October of 2009 when a Ken Oman goal combined with a Kevin Long own-goal gave the Phibsborough all three points.
 
City have won their home game of the season in four of their last five seasons a 2-1 defeat to Salthill Devon in 2010 the only peculiar defeat.
 
The Rebels have failed to defeat Bohemians in four attempts this season.
 
 
Betting
Cork City 4/9; Draw 3/1; Bohemians 13/2.
 
Prediction
Cork City 2-1 Bohemians.
 
 
CORK CITY
Injured: Michael Rafter, Danny Morrissey.
Doubtful: Gearóid Morrissey, Josh O’Shea.
Suspended: None.
Unavailable: None.

BOHEMIANS
Injured: Derek Pender, Daniel Byrne.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: Patrick Kavanagh, Aidan Price.
Unavailable: Roberto Lopes.