League Preview: Cork City -v- Longford Town

• Philip Morrissey
• Fri, Sep 02 2022




CORK CITY

It is a return to league affairs following last weekend’s cup defeat away to Derry City for the Leesiders. The aim is to play sides like this on a more regular basis. With games quickly running out at the end of the season, they edge closer to automatic promotion back to the Premier Division. 

They can take nothing or granted though. The challenge ahead sees a tough game as Longford visit Turner’s Cross on Friday. 

Colin Healy stressed the need to concentrate on the task at hand. 

“They are a good side,” said Healy about Longford. “They are after getting some new players in recently. They will be coming down here to give us a good game. They know we are going for the league and will be trying to stop us”. 

He refused to talk about any titles just yet though. “No there won’t be. And I have never been that way. No matter who you play the focus is on the three points on offer. All of our attention will be on Longford on Friday night and nothing else changes”

Alec Byrne has begun training during the week and could feature for the first time in a while. 

LONGFORD TOWN

The Midlanders had a week off due to being knocked out of the cup in the first round. Currently lying fourth in the table, they are well placed at the moment for the play-offs. They would be a stiff test for whoever they come up against.

Their last league game saw a 1-0 win over fellow play-off hopeful Wexford to extend their run of four straight wins. This has seen them move within three points of Waterford. New signings Jordan Adeyemo and Matthew Hanratty have hit the ground running with goals already to their name. 

Given the nature of their relegation last season, along with a high turnover of playing staff, it could have been excused as being a campaign where the club consolidated themselves. This has not been the case up until this point.

Although not really in the automatic promotion shake-up to much of an extent, they have been a regular spot in the play-off spots. A result away to the league leaders would go a long way to securing their spot at the end of the season. 

Referee: Gavin Colfer

MATCH STATS

The three games between the sides this season so far have only seen one win. First up City came from behind to eventually win 4-1 after a tight encounter up until the closing period. A Barry Coffey double and Darragh Crowley strike sealing the win for the home side. 

Both games at Bishopsgate have finished level. Longford have had to wait a while since their last league success over Cork. They secured their place in the Premier Division thanks to a 3-2 win at Turners Cross. 

BETTING

Cork City 1/2'; Draw 3/1; Longford Town 9/2

PREDICTION

Cork City 2-0 Longford Town  

Cork City

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: Alec Byrne, Cian Murphy

Suspended: Ruairi Keating, Aaron Bolger

Longford Town

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: N/A

 

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