Credit: Michael P Ryan (ETPhotos)
League Preview: Cork City -v- Derry City
- Dave Donnelly
- Tue, Oct 17 2017
CORK CITY
Cork City host Derry City in their twice-rescheduled league tie on Tuesday evening (kick-off 7.20pm, live on RTÉ2) knowing a win or draw will seal the Premier Division title.
The match was originally scheduled earlier in the month but was postponed due to international call-ups, and was put back another 24 hours due to Storm Ophelia.
Turner's Cross took in quite some damage in the storm on Monday, as the roof of the Derrynane Road Stand collapsed – requiring it to be closed tonight.
Expedient work by the council and the club on Tuesday afternoon saw the fallen roof removed and the stadium declared safe to host the game.
City missed out on a chance to wrap up the title on Friday night when they were deservedly held to a scoreless draw by Bohemians at Dalymount Park.
A repeat of that scoreline will be enough to see John Caulfield's side over the line with two games remaining.
“We know how big the game is,” Caulfield told the club's official website.
“We are at home and we know the challenge Derry will put up to us, because they have nothing to lose. They can throw caution to the wind and attack, and they are a very dangerous team.
“They have qualified for Europe, so there is no pressure on them. From our point of view, we are the home side with another big crowd behind us and we know that a result will win us the league.
“Derry are a really good counter-attacking team and we have to be aware of that, but there is nothing in our mind for tomorrow night other than going out to take the game to them.”
City will again be without captain Johnny Dunleavy and Alec Byrne due to season-ending injuries.
Alan Bennett, Karl Sheppard and Kieran Sadlier are all nursing knocks from Friday night, but Steven Beattie returns following a one-game suspension.
DERRY CITY
While Cork chase a result that could seal the title on, Derry go in search of the point that will guarantee them Europa League football for next season.
Kenny Shiels' men sit six points above Bray Wanderers with the Seagulls only having two games left.
Just as pertinently for the Candystripes, they are now just two points behind third-placed Shamrock Rovers with a game in hand over Stephen Bradley's side.
A win over the prospective champions would not only put the dampeners on Cork's party but put the Foylesiders in pole position for a second-successive top-three finish.
Derry travelled to Cork on Sunday as the originally scheduled Monday kick-off was still due to go ahead, before finding out mid-journey the game had been called off.
Rather than turning around and doing it all again the next day, Derry opted to stay an extra night in Cork, but were left without power when their hotel was battered by the storm.
Derry have not provided team news.
Referee: Ray Matthews
MATCH STATS
The sides have met twice so far this season, with Cork City running out winners on both occasions.
The first meeting at Turner's Cross in April was a straightforward affair as Garry Buckley, Karl Sheppard and Sean Maguire fired City to a 3-0 win.
A more hard-fought encounter at Maginn Park in June saw Derry lead thanks to an early Barry McNamee goal before Sheppard and Gearóid Morrissey turned it around.
BETTING
Cork City 8/13; Draw 27/10; Derry City 5/1.
PREDICTION
Cork City 1 – 1 Derry City
Cork City
Injured: Alec Byrne, Johnny Dunleavy.
Doubtful: Alan Bennett, Kieran Sadlier, Karl Sheppard.
Suspended: None.
Derry City
Injured: Unavailable.
Doubtful: Unavailable.
Suspended: None.
