League Preview: Cork City -v- Galway United
- Philip Morrissey
- Thu, Feb 24 2022
CORK CITY
Cork City’s aim to get back into the Premier Division had the best possible start last Friday night when they faced Bray Wanderers.
Playing away to last season’s play-off finalists, and in difficult conditions, they ran out 6-0 winners.
Given the issues they had scoring goals last season, it provided a huge confidence boost to the squad.
Fans were quick to think ahead about success come the end of the season in the aftermath. The Turners Cross faithful will possibly expect a repeat performance against the Tribesmen.
It could be a different challenge in Turners Cross on Friday night when Galway United visit however (kick-off 7.45pm), and Colin Healy warned against complacency coming into this weekend when he spoke to the Irish Examiner.
“They’re good lads but if I see that around the training ground, or I see that on the training pitch, I will pull them up on it straight away.
“Galway are going to be a difficult side, they always are, so it’s going to be a big ask for us, but the players will be ready for it.
In team news, the Rebels have added Stoke City defender Kieran Coates to their squad, the 20-year-old arrives at Turners Cross on loan until June.
“Yeah, I am really pleased to be here. It all came about quite quickly, but when I got the phone call, I was very keen to come over,” Coates said, speaking to the club’s website.
“It is an opportunity for me to try and get some first team football, so I am really looking forward to it.
“I’ve trained with the group for the first time this morning and I really enjoyed it, so I am looking forward to the game against Galway United tomorrow night.”
GALWAY UNITED
The visitors will be aiming to get their season off in style having seen their rivals chalk up convincing wins last weekend.
The nature of the new nine team league meant it was their turn to not have a fixture.
They will be hoping to go one better than last season and clinch the title which they lost out to Shelbourne.
To do so, they will have to improve on the start they had last season which saw only three wins from their opening nine games.
It would be at a ground that John Caulfield knows well, he will be absent though having to serve a one match suspension.
The former Cork City boss recognises the threat which City pose, “Cork City had a massive win last week – they have strengthened their squad this year with some big signings.,” he said, speaking to the club’s website.
“We know we must go down there and play well. It is a new season with a new team so we have to believe in ourselves and show composure to get a result.”
“We got tremendous support at the end of last season so we are trying to keep that support going. Hopefully the fans can get behind us for the campaign and we can keep progressing the club on and off the pitch.”
Referee: Eoghan O’Shea
MATCH STATS
Galway was the only side in the top six who Cork had a degree of success against last season. The leesiders managing two wins and a draw in their three games.
Indeed, Galway have a poor record home and away in this fixture in recent years. You have to go back to 2008 when a young Jay O’ Shea inspired Galway to a 3-2 win over an injury hit City side.
They did also become the first team to beat the rebels in a cup game other than the final in four years when they prevailed at Terryland Park in 2019.
BETTING
Cork City 13/10; Draw 21/10; Galway Utd 15/8.
PREDICTION
Cork City 2-1 Galway Utd
Cork City
Injured: Gordon Walker, George Heaven, Alec Byrne
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Galway United
Injured: None.
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
About Philip Morrissey
Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college …