Cork City -v- Dundalk

• Simon O'Gorman
• Fri, Jul 19 2013




CORK CITY

Cork City’s recent win over champions Sligo Rovers came as a welcome ray of hope for a side that have suffered more than their fair share of setbacks in 2013, but Tommy Dunne’s side have yet to record consecutive league wins and a somewhat unfortunate defeat away to Shelbourne duly followed.

 

With goal-scoring having been a perpetual problem for City this year, the loan acquisition of striker Ciaran Kilduff from Shamrock Rovers may well be enough to turn the club’s fortunes in the right direction. This and the rousing form of Daryl Horgan now offer City a potentially match winning attack.

 

Lying sixteen points off a European qualification place, and with just thirteen games left to play, Dunne’s side will probably be happy just to solidify their league form and establish themselves in the upper regions of mid table. But in a season when the lower ranked teams all have something to offer care must still be taken not to get sucked into a relegation battle that looks likely to become something of a thriller.

 

Speaking before the game manager Tommy Dunne recognised the achievements of a Dundalk side who are still threatening to challenge for the league title.

 

“Dundalk are probably the in-form team in the league right now”, he said, “so we know it will be a difficult game. We need to get a bit of consistency and stop conceding goals, and that will give us a chance to get a result. We had chances last week against Shelbourne, and there were decisions that went against us, but we have to try to ensure that outside influences do not dictate what happens; we have to try and pick up the three points through our own good play and good defensive work.”

 

DUNDALK

Tied in second place on 39 points, Dundalk are still very much in the reckoning for the 2013 league title and just four points stand between them and league leaders St Patrick’s Athletic.

 

Key to the club’s impressive showing is their superb away form and Stephen Kenny’s men have won eight of their ten away matches to date. Only Shamrock Rovers and Limerick have beaten the Lilywhites on their travels, a  statistic that Cork will be only too well aware of.

 

The big question over Dundalk’s ability to carry their challenge through to the end concerns the staying power of a relatively small group of players, and with injuries beginning to mount up the Oriel Park club may soon be forced to test the depth of their squad.

 

Dundalk will be without the injured trio of Keith Ward, Tiarnan Mulvenna and John Mountney, while Dane Massey and Chris Shields are both doubtful. Richie Towell and Andy Boyle are also unavailable due to suspension, a situation which may deny Stephen Kenny the use of seven first choice players.

 

Speaking before the game Kenny had nothing but praise for his men.

 

“The players have been excellent this year and every week they have given absolutely everything to the cause. This week we’ll have to rally round as we’re missing quite a few for the trip. It’s always a tough place to go in Cork. Away games are never easy but we’ve done well this year on the road. Cork City are a good side and it’ll be a tough game but we’ll go and give it our best shot.”

 

Referee: Rob Rogers.

 

 

 

MATCH FACTS

Dundalk won this years previous league meeting between these sides with goals from Mountney and Hoban providing a 2-0 home win.

 

Daryl Horgan is Cork’s top-scorer this year with 8 league and cup goals to his credit. Pat Hoban tops the Dundalk charts with 8 league goals and 3 more in cup competition.

 

Cork have failed to score just once in their last nine league outings - the 0-3 defeat at the hands of UCD three weeks ago.

 

 

BETTING

Cork 2/1; Draw 11/5; Dundalk 13/10.

 

PREDICTION

Cork to take advantage of Dundalk’s injury list and win 2-1.

 

 

Cork City

Injured: Kevin Burns, Kevin Murray, Darren Dennehy, Colin Healy.
Doubtful: Danny Morrissey.
Suspended: Shane Duggan.

 

Dundalk

Injured: Keith Ward, John Mountney, Tiarnan Mulvenna.
Doubtful: Dane Massey, Chris Shields.
Suspended: Richie Towell, Andy Boyle.