League Preview: Wexford -v- Cork City

Wexford FC

It has been a generally positive season so far compared to last year. Their seven points from six league games see them competing for the play-off spots. A far cry from their last place finish in 2021. It has been a bit up and down in terms of results; a heavy defeat to Treaty and Longford with morale boosting victories against Cobh and Athlone. It is perhaps understandable given the high turnover of players since last year. Last weekend’s scoreless draw away to Bray perhaps showed their fighting spirit.

Ian Ryan knows that more is needed ahead of the visit of the league leaders though. "Last week was important for us in many ways. After a disappointing performance vs Longford, it was important we went back to basics and as a bare minimum achieved our first clean sheet of this season. It wasn't pretty but it didn't need to be last week. As a group we must display all the qualities of a good team, some weeks it's about fighting and other weeks we will use our footballing quality."

Cork City

The leesiders are travelling to Ferrycarrig Park looking to maintain their position at the league summit. Four wins in a row has put them into top spot. Confidence is high as a result, and they also reached the Munster senior cup semi-finals during the week. Despite ongoing absences through injuries, they have still been able to get the necessary results. Much praise has been given to David Harrington and his backline for the solidity this season.

Colin Healy was keen to emphasise the team game. “Defensively we have been very, very good. And that’s throughout the team whether it’s the lads up front, in the middle of the park and at the back. And obviously with Harry (Harrington) in goal. We do a lot of work on that. Its great for the lads scoring the goals, but it’s important to keep the clean sheets” He recognised the danger posed by Wexford but remained confident. “We’ll go up there with a good squad and we’ll be ready for them. We know what they are about, but we have a game plan ourselves. Hopefully we can stick to it, and it proves successful”

Referee: David Keeler

MATCH STATS

Despite finishing bottom last season, Wexford were able to frustrate Cork City on their last visit. A scoreless draw doing little to help their play-off ambitions. You have to go back a few years for the last time Wexford beat their guests. That was a one nil win on the final day of the 2010 first division season. Cork are on a run of four wins in a row which they have not done since 2017. Dinny Corcoran will hope to avoid them winning five in a row. He is currently stuck on 99 league of Ireland goals and waiting for his century.

BETTING

Wexford FC 3/1, Draw 5/2, Cork City 3/4

PREDICTION

Wexford FC 1-3 Cork City

Wexford FC

Injured: N/A

Doubtful: N/A

Suspended: N/A

Cork City

Injured: Dylan McGlade, Gordon Walker, George Heaven, Alec Byrne, Cian Coleman

Doubtful: James Doona, Matt Healy

Suspended: N/A