FAI Cup Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Cork City

• Harry Manning
• Thu, Sep 08 2016




Two sides eager to win silverware this season meet tomorrow as Shamrock Rovers welcome Cork City to Tallaght Stadium in a crunch FAI Cup Quarter-Final encounter.

 

SHAMROCK ROVERS

The Hoops come into tomorrow evening’s tie in good form with four wins in their last six outings in all competitions. Stephen Bradley’s side have also looked particularly tidy at the back having kept four clean sheets out of those six contests.

 

They’ve progressed to the quarter-final stage of this year’s FAI Cup with relative ease having defeated Cork side Midleton 4-0 before dismantling Athlone Town 5-0 in the last-16.

 

Rovers now face their first real test in this year’s competition when they welcome Premier Division title contenders Cork City to Tallaght Stadium in what is sure to be a cracking game of football.

 

Sami Ristila recently became a member of the Hoops’ coaching staff and the former Finnish international has been impressed with what he has seen so far, particularly on their attacking 3-5-2 formation which Bradley has been using lately.

 

Speaking to shamrockrovers.ie about the game, Ristila said:

 

“Well, you don’t score goals if you don’t attack, it’s as simple as that.

 

“But no, we’ve been playing well. We have a lot of energy lately, because if you look around the dressing room at training every player has played a big part over the last few weeks because there has been a lot of games for us lately.

 

“The defence has been good, which has helped us attack even more. We’re improving all the time, maybe the defence needs to be more composed on the pitch but that will happen in time, because it’s coming and we’re improving every day.

 

“With everyone playing a part over the last few weeks the confidence is there in each player, you seen that in the win over Galway during the week, maybe they could have scored at the end but these things go right for you when your luck is on your side.”

 

In team news, Luke Byrne and Evan Osam remain long-term absentees while Craig Hyland will also continue his stint on the sidelines with Barry Murphy expected to continue in the Rovers’ nets.

 

 

CORK CITY

Cork have been in fiery form as of late, they came into the contest having won their last three games on the bounce in convincing fashion having scored thirteen goals across those three games.

 

In-form front man Sean Maguire has been particularly impressive scoring four in his last three games while also getting on the score-sheet for the Republic of Ireland under-21s in their midweek game against Serbia.

 

Karl Sheppard has also been hot in front of goal as of late, scoring three in three, however, he and Maguire may find it difficult breaking down a Rovers defence led by the centre-half pairing of Sean Heaney and Bobby Cornwall who have formed a formidable partnership at the back for The Hoops this season.

 

Like Rovers, Cork have also had a smooth path to the last—eight stage having first seen off non-league side St Peter’s of Athlone 4-0 before defeating Premier Division rivals Longford Town 4-1 at the City Calling Stadium last month.

 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, City boss John Caulfield spoke of his side’s determination to win silverware this season.

 

“We went to the Aviva last year and it was a fantastic occasion; obviously, the result was disappointing but we want to get back there. It’s a big occasion for both clubs. Going to Tallaght is always difficult but I feel that, in the last two weeks, we have turned a corner after a blip; our form has increased, the intensity of our performances has increased and we need to play at that level.

 

“Stephen Bradley has come in at Rovers and he has made some changes; they have changed their style and their shape. We have watched them and they are quite solid defensively, they’re not giving away many goals and, attacking-wise, they have Shaw, Miele and Clarke, as well as McCabe coming from midfield, so they have goals in their team as well.

 

“We have turned our form around in the last few weeks and hopefully we will carry that into Friday night. It’s a quarter-final, it’s a big opportunity for us to get to a semi-final. The cup is always tricky, but is good to be going into a game on a good run of form and we have been scoring goals as well.

 

“Since I have taken over, this has been the best squad we have had. We believe that we can win something this year and that is why we come in here every day and work as hard as we do. We believe the title race will go right to the wire; the cup is the cup and it is all about performing on the day. We want to win trophies; we need to hang in there until the end of the season and see if we can do that. I believe that, with this squad, we can. I believe this team are good enough.”

 

In team news, Dave Mulcahy is cup-tied having played for Bohemians in a previous round while Alan Smith and John Dunleavy have been ruled out for the remainder of the season through injury. Alan Bennett and Steven Beattie are both carrying knocks and will be assessed closer to kick-off. Greg Bolger, however will make his return to the setup followingthe end of his suspension.

 

Referee: David McKeon

 

 

MATCH STATS

Shamrock Rovers are the most successful club in the history of the FAI Cup, having lifted the trophy on no less than 24 occasions, fourteen more times than nearest rivals Dundalk who lifted their 10^th FAI Cup last year. However, despite their rich tally, Rovers haven’t won the tournament since 1987.

 

Cork meanwhile have two FAI Cups to their credit, winning their first in 1998 and second in 2007. Since then the closest they’ve come was last season when they finished runners-up to Dundalk.

 

In the league this season it’s Cork who hold an edge over Rovers having won their first meeting 2-0 back in April before a 0-0 draw took place between the pairing in June.

 

The last time these sides met in an FAI Cup game was in 2012 when Rovers defeated the Rebel Army by two goals to nil in the Third Round.

 

 

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 21/10; Draw 2/1; Cork City 5/4.

 

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Cork City

 

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Luke Byrne, Evan Osam, Craig Hyland

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

 

Cork City

Injured: Alan Smith, John Dunleavy

Doubtful: Alan Bennett, Steven Beattie

Suspended: None.

Cup-Tied: Dave Mulcahy