FAI Cup Preview: Cabinteely -v- Cork City

CABINTEELY

Cabinteely will look to provide one of the major shocks of the first round in the FAI Cup when they welcome Cork City to Stradbrook on Friday evening (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Cabo come into the game fresh off the back of a superb three-nil win over Limerick last time out, with Rob Manley scoring a first-half brace to all but seal the deal for Pat Devlin’s charges.

Keith Dalton made it three into the second period as Tommy Barrett’s side were left feeling the blues as the game wore on with Cabo threatening further as the game progressed. 

However, despite their eight game unbeaten run and lofty position in the First Division table, Cabinteely boss Devlin is wary of the challenge his side faces against Cork City.

“It would be very foolish of us to underestimate Cork in any shape or form. Do we have a chance – yes, we do,” he said.

“We’re in Stradbrook, a foreign venue to them. The pitch is in excellent order. As a team, we’re playing well. The club have a lot of young players who are eager to impress.

“If the players are not confident going into this game after our recent run, then they’ll never be confident. As a club, Cabinteely hope to get a good crowd at the game. Hopefully, it will be a great occasion too.”

Conor Keeley and Jack Hudson return from bans for the Green and Whites ahead of this tantalising clash at Stradbrook.

However, both Jack Watson and Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters both miss out with injury, with Watson forcibly withdrawn from the action last week against Limerick.

CORK CITY

After falling to defeat last time out against St Patrick’s Athletic, Cork City travel to the capital to face First Division high-flyers Cabinteely.

Ronan Hale’s late winner broke City hearts at Turners Cross with John Cotter’s side falling further into the prospect of a Premier Division relegation scrap.

City have a torrid away record, picking up a mere 11 points on the road, however, that is still better than their poor home form.

With only nine points to their tally at Turners Cross and a negative mood on Leeside, Head Coach Cotter insists his side need to be ready for a tough test at Stradbrook.

“We need to be ready for a tough game on Friday. We’ve seen them play over the last few weeks and they’re going very well in the First Division.

“There’s no doubt they’ll be confident going into Friday and we need to be ready, go up there and take the game to them.

“I went up to watch them against Drogheda, and I watched them last week against Limerick. They’re well organised, they’re fit, they have a threat in the lad Manley up front who has scored a few goals for them.

“We need to be ready and we need to be at it. The attitude needs to be right and we’ll go up there and take the game to them to try and get through.”

In terms of injury news for City, Mark O’Sullivan is a doubt for the game having been subbed off against St Pats last week.

However, Cian Bargary and Murphy are both confirmed absentees having struggled with injury issues in recent weeks.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Cabinteely and Cork City have never met each other previously in a senior competitive outing. The Leesiders have taken part in the previous four FAI Cup finals, winning two against Dundalk.

Cork City have only scored 11 times on the road in the Premier Division so far this season. On the other and, Cabinteely have scored 18 goals at Stradbrook this season, conceding 16.

Cabinteely top scorer Rob Manley has scored 16 league goals so far this season. That total is only four off City’s combined league goal tally of 20 for the season.

BETTING

Cabinteely 17/4; Draw 11/4; Cork City 4/7.

PREDICTION

Cabinteely 2 - 1 Cork City.

Cabinteely

Injured: Jack Watson, Kieran ‘Marty’ Waters.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Cian Murphy, Cian Bargary.

Doubtful: Mark O’Sullivan.

Suspended: None.