Cork City -v- Shelbourne

CORK CITY

Cork City will undoubtedly be looking to build momentum ahead of Monday night’s Setanta Cup semi-final against Shamrock Rovers with three points on Friday evening against Shelbourne at Turner’s Cross in the Airtricity League.

The Rebel Army, who are currently sitting in eight position in the Premier Division, welcome back a number of key players who were out of action for last Tuesday’s clash with Rovers in Tallaght, although club captain Kevin Murray will miss out on taking to the field.

Danny Murphy and Colin Healy both featured without experiencing any problems, and Gearoid Morrissey returns from suspension. Shane Duggan will face a late fitness test to decide whether or not he can play any part against the visitors from Dublin.

Many City fans have insinuated that nothing less than a victory will do against a team that is struggling at the bottom of the table, but manager Tommy Dunne told CorkCityFC.ie that he is expecting a tough game.

“Every game in this league is a tough one, and Shelbourne come into the game on the back of a bad run by their standards, so we hope that we can keep that bad run going by getting the three points.

“Shelbourne and Cork City is a fixture that, since the late 90’s and through the last decade, has been a very competitive one, and a fixture that supporters on both sides want to win.

“We need to be diligent and we need to be better from an attacking point of view than we have been in recent games to create chances to get goals, and I’m hoping we can do that tomorrow night.”

SHELBOURNE

Shelbourne will travel down the M8 to Cork in desperate need of a win, as the famed Dublin side sit rock bottom of the Airtricity Premier Division with just a solitary point in the bag and two goals scored in eight games.

The Reds will especially be looking to bounce back after suffering a humiliating 4-0 defeat at the hands of city rivals St. Patrick’s Athletic on Monday evening, but are boosted in the fact that manager Alan Mathews has virtually a full squad to choose from – just club captain Glenn Cronin will miss out, who remains absent with an ankle injury.

Speaking ahead of the game, Mathews was in a fighting mood, determined to return back to the capital with something in hand.

"We've got to pick it up and go again and be prepared to fight and scrap and make sure we produce a better performance on Friday."

He also reflected on the drubbing handed to them by St. Pat’s last time out.

"[We were] good in the first half, shocking in the second half. Gave away a soft goal just on half time [which] shouldn't have affected us that badly, but to concede so early in the second half from a set piece was particularly disappointing, and from there on Pat's got the confidence and their tails up and we didn't respond".

Referee: Dave McKeon

MATCH STATS

The most recent clash between these two esteemed sides that was of real importance at Turner’s Cross was in August 2011, when the Rebel Army romped to a 4-1 victory, swinging the balance of momentum in the race for the First Division title in the process.

Shels have the second worst defensive record in the Premier Division with 18 goals conceded so far this season, only behind UCD who have shipped 21. They have also failed to score a single league goal away from Tolka Park yet in 2013.

Cork have the fifth meanest defence in the Premier Division, but are let down in the final third – they have found the net just six times in seven games this season, with just three sides being able to stake a claim at being less prolific.

BETTING

Cork City 1/2,  Draw 11/4, Shelbourne 6/1.

PREDICTION

Cork City 2-0 Shelbourne. The Pride of Leeside should win this one rather comfortably, but their lack of proficiency in front of goal could prevent an all–out rout.

Cork City

Injured: Brian Lenihan, Kevin Murray
Doubtful: Neal Horgan, Shane Duggan
Suspended: None

Shelbourne

Injured: Glenn Cronin
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None