FAI Cup Preview: Bohemians -v- Cork City

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians welcome Cork to the Oscar Traynor Complex as the only side to have come through a qualifier to get to the FAI Cup proper (kick-off 2pm).

Bohs went all the way to penalties with Athlone Town in Lissywollen after a spectacular strike from Sophie Watters had cancelled out Kellie Brennan’s opener.

Extra time went by without another goal and so it came to penalties, where Rebecca Creagh, Ally Cahill, Sinead O’Farrelly and Chloe Flynn each found the target.

Bohemians were fortunate, or perhaps unfortunate, to have been granted a rest week ahead of the trip to Cork so should at least be well-rested for the occasion.

CORK CITY

The Women’s National League’s form team travel to its joint-newest team in this FAI Cup first round clash.

City come into the game on the back of a five-game winnings streak that has seen them rocket up the table and into third.

The 2017 FAI Cup champions are in their best form in years and scoring goals for fun, with 15 registered across those five games.

Last week’s win was a particularly noteworthy one as they took the scalp of the four-time champions Wexford Youths on their own turf – and moved above them into third.

First-half goals from Saoirse Noonan and Éabha O’Mahony – the latter a spectacular strike from distance – either side of Kylie Murphy’s equaliser earned the three points.

With memories of 2017 still fresh, and a big chunk of the surviving squad still at the club, Rónán Collins’ side will be confident of starting the latest campaign with a win.

Referee: TBC

MATCH STATS

As a new entrant in the league, Bohemians have only ever faced Cork City once at senior level, back in early September.

Late goals from Laura Shine were enough to eke out a 4-3 win for City in a high-scoring game after Lauren Egbonliu and Christina Dring had given them a 2-0 lead.

Aoife Robinson and Alannah Maxwell pulled the Gypsies back level after the break but it wasn’t enough to take a point in spite of Maxwell’s second late in injury time.

BETTING

Bohemians 1/2; Draw 16/5; Cork City 17/5;

PREDICTION

Bohemians 0 – 2 Cork City

Bohemians

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.