FAI CUP Preview: Wexford Youths -v- Cork City

• John O'Shea
• Fri, May 29 2015




 

WEXFORD YOUTHS

Wexford Youths will be seeking a repeat of their previous cup victories over Cork City, as they look to go on a cup run in what should be an intriguing cup tie at Ferrycarrig Park.

 

Wexford’s biggest result in their history came against Cork in 2008 when they won at Turners Cross to reach the 2008 EA Sports Cup final. Manager Shane Keegan might use that as a source of inspiration for his team and as proof that his players are able to beat Premier Division opposition. 

 

Wexford have had mixed results this season but they are currently second in the table behind Finn Harps and look to be well in the hunt for promotion. They look to be among one of three teams in contention for the title, along with Harps and UCD.

 

Last weekend their league clash with Athlone had to be abandoned at half-time with the Youths 2-0 up at the time, when a generator caught fire and the floodlights failed.

 

Despite fears that this game would have to be moved to Saturday afternoon, Wexford have been quick to rectify the situation and a new generator was installed over the weekend. This means that the cup tie will go ahead as planned on Friday evening.

 

Youths will have former Cork striker Danny Furlong in their side and he is in great goal-scoring form in the First Division. He has an ankle injury, though, and will need a late fitness test 

 

Wexford’s other injury doubts for the cup clash are Dean Broaders, who has an Achilles tendon injury and Conor Whittle, who has a hamstring injury.

 

CORK CITY

Cork City travel to Ferrycarrig Park on Friday night looking to win the FAI Cup for the first time since 2007.

 

Wexford have beaten City in a number of cup competitions in the past and City boss John Caulfield has said in the build up to the game that he would give the First Division side all the respect they deserve. 

 

Taking that into consideration, it is expected that Cork will field a strong team for the game, against a side who Caulfield has described as the best footballing side in the First Division.

 

This is a competition which Cork will be targeting strongly and it could turn out to be their only chance of silverware this year, so there is no doubt that John Caulfield’s side will be taking this competition very seriously. A day out in the cup final at the Aviva Stadium would be something which would really generate excitement down on Leeside.

 

Cork have John Dunleavy, Kieran Djilali and Danny Morrissey all out injured for the tie in Ferrycarrig Park, but Alan Bennett could well make a comeback from a hamstring injury on Friday night.

 

*If the game ends in a draw, the replay will take place on Monday, June 1^st with a 5:30pm kick off.

 

Referee: Graham Kelly

 

 

MATCH STATS

It has already been a good week for Cork City’s John Kavanagh, who this week was called up to Noel King’s Ireland U21 squad.

 

Cork City have won the FAI Cup on two occasions, first in 1998 and most recently in 2007.

 

Wexford reached the final of the EA Sports Cup in 2008, when they beat Cork in the last four in Turners Cross. They were 1-0 winners on the night, with the Youths goal coming from Paul Murphy.

 

 

BETTING

Wexford Youths 11/2; Draw 16/9; Cork City 4/9.

 

PREDICTION

Wexford Youths 0–2 Cork City

 

 

Wexford Youths

Injured: None
Doubtful: Dean Broaders, Danny Furlong, Conor Whittle.
Suspended: None.

 

Cork City

Injured: John Dunleavy, Kieran Djilali, Danny Morrissey.
Doubtful: Alan Bennett.
Suspended: None.