- Gareth O'Reilly
- Thu, Aug 20 2015
CORK CITY
Cork go into this cup tie without a host of first team regulars as John Caulfield must really dig deep into the depth of his squad and possibly also into the club’s under 19 side ahead of this hotly anticipated fixture.
After suffering back-to-back defeats last weekend to Limerick and Shamrock Rovers, John Caulfield spoke of the importance of this tie at his weekly press conference.
“It’s a huge game because it’s the FAI Cup,” said Caulfield. “St. Pat’s are obviously the holders, having won it last year for the first time in over fifty years. From our point of view, it’s the biggest game of the season. The cup gives you a chance to get to the Aviva, even though that is still a few rounds away.
“It’s a different competition and it is a fifty-fifty game. I am appealing to our fans to come out in big numbers and get behind us, because it will be a tight game and our home support can help us get over the line.”
With the league appearing to now be beyond Cork, winning the cup as well as finishing second in the Premier Division will likely now be the aim of the Leesiders.
“There’s a beauty about the cup in the sense that, if you win five games, you win the cup. It’s a different atmosphere and a different feeling to the league. All of the players are looking forward to it, because they know it is an opportunity for them to bounce back.
“Pat’s have tremendous players, they play out from the back and build the play. We’ve had some fantastic matches against St. Pat’s; I think both teams go for it, that’s their style, that’s our style and I expect it to be a great game.”
Gavin Holohan remains in the medical room with his ankle injury while captain John Dunleavy will be out for a sustained period after he suffered a fractured cheekbone in last Friday’s defeat to Limerick. Danny Morrissey will be joining Holohan and Dunleavy in the stands as a hamstring injury is set to sideline him for the next few weeks.
To add to the Leesiders woes, both Stephen Folan and Steven Beattie are also unavailable as the pair are cup-tied.
Caulfield will also be left to fret over the fitness of Mark O’Sullivan, John Kavanagh, Darren Dennehy, Alan Bennett, Kevin O’Connor, all who received knocks during the past seven days.
ST PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
St. Pat’s, who knocked Shamrock Rovers out in the last round, have yet another tough clash this time as they continue their defence of the trophy they won back in November 2014.
This will be the second time these two sides have met in Turner’s Cross in cup competition this year, as Cork also fell by the leeway when a penalty shootout was required to send Liam Buckley’s men through to the semi-final of the EA Sports Cup. So the Saints boss Liam Buckley is all too aware of the challenge posed by playing last season’s league runners-up.
“Friday’s game should be a really good game for the neutrals as with it being a cup game,” said Buckley speaking to stpatsfc.com. “Both teams will go for the win. Cup football always creates that drama and entertainment so it should be a great game for those in Turner’s Cross and watching on the television.”
In terms of team news, the Saints manager confirmed Christy Fagan continues to miss out due to his knee injury while Kenny Browne and Ian Morris both face late fitness tests. Killian Brennan is once again back and available for the game following his suspension, while the men from Inchicore have an otherwise full bill of health.
To win an FAI Cup is often a pivotal moment in any players career and current Saints defender Jason McGuinness is desperate to win it once more having already captured the trophy on two occasions from his time with Sligo Rovers.
“I’ve always been excited by playing in the cup,” McGuinness told stpatsfc.com. “It’s such a buzz to play knock-out football and with the opportunity to get to Lansdowne and the Aviva Stadium, it’s what you play the game for.
“Cork are a good team and the league table doesn’t lie; they’re one of the best teams in the country. But we’ve played them down there before and know we can get a result there. We were disappointed with Monday’s result against Dundalk (losing 4-1), but the great thing is we’ve a game so close coming up so we can hopefully put that right with getting a result against Cork.”
Referee: Paul McLaughlin.
MATCH FACTS
The Saints are unbeaten in domestic cup action this season as they have made it all the way to the EA Sports Cup final while they are also still very much in the hunt for the Leinster Senior Cup.
The last time these two met in the FAI Cup, it was Danny North who hit home the winner for Pat’s in a one goal victory.
Dan Murray, Liam Kearney, Colin Healy and John O’Flynn are the four members that remain from the Cork City team that won the 2007 FAI Cup.
BETTING
Cork City 6/4; Draw 9/4; St Patrick’s Athletic 7/4.
PREDICTION
Cork City 1-1 St Patrick’s Athletic.
Cork City
Injured: John Dunleavy (cheekbone), Danny Morrissey (hamstring), Gavin Holohan (ankle).
Doubtful: Mark O’Sullivan, John Kavanagh, Darren Dennehy, Alan Bennett, Kevin O’Connor.
Suspended: None.
Cup tied: Stephen Beattie, Stephen Folan.
St Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: Christy Fagan (knee).
Doubtful: Kenny Browne, Ian Morris.
Suspended: None.