Colin Healy expects tough test as Cork City eye a return to winning ways at home to Athlone
A tough night for Cork City boss Colin Healy (pictured). Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)
Cork City boss Colin Healy admits that he is expecting a tough test at home to Athlone Town on Friday evening as the Leesiders look for a return to winning ways.
City won their opening game of the season versus Cobh Ramblers – but they crashed to a defeat away to Cabinteely at Stradbrook.
But they do have a chance to put that defeat in the capital behind them on Friday evening as they host a resurgent Athlone Town.
“They got a draw away to UCD and got a very good win against Galway – they’re a very good side,” Healy told the media during his press conference.
“We’ve seen videos of them so it will be another tough game on Friday night as every game will be this year.
“I think they could be one of the dark horses (this year). I don’t think many would have seen their win over Galway coming.
“They have some very good players and a very good manager so it will be a tough game on Friday night. But it’s one that we’ll be ready for.”
Following Friday’s loss in Dublin, Healy called for a positive response from his side – and he feels he has got that this week in training.
“They always train very well,” he added. “It’s a young squad and the attitude in training has been fantastic and it always has been.
“I’ll never question that. The boys come into training and they’re happy, there’s a good intensity in the sessions so that wouldn’t worry me to be honest.”
He also denied that their loss away to Cabinteely was a ‘culture-shock’.
“We saw a lot of their games from before and we knew what they could do and listen, they did it, and they did it very well,” he finished.
“We just couldn’t break them down on the night. But the players would have come up against teams like that before.
“You’ve got to break down the low blocks. It can be difficult, but you just need that extra bit of quality to do it.”
In terms of team news for City, Josh Honohan and Rob Slevin remain out ahead of Friday’s clash against their Co. Westmeath counterparts.
