League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Cork City

• Gareth O'Reilly
• Thu, Jun 12 2014




SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers are getting set to welcome Cork City to Tallaght Stadium on Friday evening for an important clash for both sides. Kick Off is at 7.45 pm.

 

Both managers will be looking to head into the mid season break with a victory in what should be a fast paced end to end encounter.

 

Rovers have fallen away from where they might have envisioned themselves being at the mid way point in the season but with just seven points and a game in hand separating the Hoops from league leaders Dundalk this could be a crucial game for Trevor Croly's side.

 

The Hoops have three absentees for this game as Stephen McPhail and Luke Byrne both miss out with rib and knee injuries respectively. Gary McCabe will also be forced to miss this one as he is suspended for the fixture.

 

Trevor Croly, giving his thoughts ahead of the game, stated that he hoped for an better performance from his side than was given when these two sides played earlier in the season.

 

"We didn't play well down in Cork earlier in the season and we were very disappointed with the result in that game. But we recognised what we needed to work on and we did that and have played much better since that game. Now this fixture is a direct chance for us to correct that performance and result and go into the break in the league on a positive note. It's a big game, and one we're very much ready for and looking forward to."

 

CORK CITY

Cork enjoyed a six goal triumph last Friday over St Mochta's in the FAI Cup but know that this Friday's encounter will be a lot tougher.

 

Cork go into this game five points behind Dundalk although John Caulfield's side do have a game in hand over their County Louth counterparts. However the gap in goal difference between the two sides will be something that Cork will need to improve as soon as possible.

 

This tie sees two sides with title aspirations clash in a highly anticipated encounter, one which manager John Caulfield is looking forward to.

 

“Obviously Rovers would see themselves a potential title winners, so it’s a huge challenge for us, but at the same time, we have done fantastically well and shown a great attitude. The lads have trained really hard this week and, while we expect Rovers to throw everything at us, hopefully we will be ready for them.”

 

On the injury front Liam Kearney is once again available for selection although Michael Rafter is still out with a long term injury with Darren Murphy also ruled out although Cork are hopeful he will be fit for the vital games after the mid season break.

 

There will also be a number of late calls and late fitness tests conducted as Danny Morrissey, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Colin Healy and Darren Dennehy also face a race against time to show they are capable of making the trip to Dublin.

 

Referee: Derek Tomney

 

 

MATCH FACTS

It has been 436 minutes since Shamrock Rovers last conceded a goal in the league, a run that spans back four games.

 

The league game between these two sides back in April drew a crowd of 5,676 to Turners Cross which was the highest league attendance since October 2012.

 

Shamrock Rovers were once forced to play a home game in Turners Cross in 2003. Cork won this tie 2-0 with current Rovers manager Trevor Croly being sent off after receiving two yellow cards.

 

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 5/6, Draw 9/4, Cork City 10/3.

 

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 1-2 Cork City

 

Shamrock Rovers

Injured: Stephen McPhail (rib), Luke Byrne (knee)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Gary McCabe

 

Cork City

Injured: Michael Rafter, Darren Murphy
Doubtful: Danny Morrissey, Iarfhlaith Davoren, Colin Healy, Darren Dennehy
Suspended: None