FAI Cup Preview: Cork City -v- St.Patrick’s Athletic

• Philip Morrissey
• Sat, Oct 07 2023




CORK CITY

It is familiar opposition for Cork City at Turner’s Cross for Sunday’s FAI Cup semi-final (kick off 14:40).

The sides are playing each other again after their league encounter at the same venue last Friday. This cup game offers the home side the chance to finish the season at the Aviva Stadium despite their struggles in the league.   

Last week’s game was evenly poised with both sides having chances. A highly contested red card for John O’Donovan proved crucial with the ten men going down to a late goal. Richie Holland had taken charge for his first City game since being announced as manager until the end of the season but with a familiar outcome.   

Richie Holland was proud of the effort though: “Yeah, I suppose that’s what we would be asking of them. When fans pay their money, they want to see a Cork side who fights for every ball for the fans and for themselves. It was great to see but just disappointed with the result.”

He knows the risks of taking on the job at this stage but the opportunities also: “I couldn’t say no to it. I could be taking a big risk personally because of the league position but I just want to give it a go.”

Holland will have to decide who will partner Ruairi Keating up front. It could be Cian Murphy ahead of Jaze Kabia who has been struggling with a knock.  

ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC

The Saints and their fans will travel south in good spirits as they look towards reaching the final for the second time in three seasons.

Mark Doyle proved to be the match winner against City in the league last weekend via a header with just over ten minutes to go.  

It keeps alive their prospect of playing in Europe next season. It could arrive through winning the cup or as a result of their third placed position.

Jamie Lennon stressed the challenge ahead: “We've just got to take it in our stride. We were down there last week, had a really tough game. We didn't play particularly well but we came away with a 1-0 win, which was a massive win for us in the league.”

The feeling of two years ago is still fresh in his mind: "It'd be unbelievable for the club. There are a lot of fond memories from the time we were here a couple of years ago.

"It's going to be a really tough one Sunday but the prize at the end of that is to play at the Aviva. I don't think that comes around too often; it may not come around again."

Sam Curtis is serving the second game of his suspension after his red card against Drogheda United. Jake Mulraney should be fit enough to return though.

Referee: Robert Harvey

MATCH STATS

The Athletic are unbeaten in all four meetings between the teams this season, winning three and drawing one. Both games at Turner’s Cross were narrow wins that could have gone either way.

St. Pats have been clocking of the miles on this campaign having been drawn away to Longford Town, Derry City and Finn Harps. They might take heart from a game at the cross that helped them towards the Aviva two years ago on penalties.

City are facing their first Premier Division side in this campaign having drawn against first division opponents in all three rounds.   

BETTING

Cork City 9/4, Draw 23/10, St. Patrick’s Athletic EVS

PREDICTION

Cork City 1 - 2 St. Patrick’s Athletic

Cork City

Injured: Ethon Varian

Doubtful: Jaze Kabia, Rokas Stanulevicius

Suspended: None

St. Patrick’s Athletic

Injured: Tom Grivosti, Axel Sjoberg

Doubtful: Ryan McLaughlin

Suspended: Sam Curtis

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