19.05 17 Aug 2015 -
Referee: Tomas Connolly
League Preview: Shamrock Rovers -v- Cork City
- Josh Dolan
- Sun, Aug 16 2015
SHAMROCK ROVERS
Shamrock Rovers will be looking to build on their 3-1 win over Longford Town when they welcome Cork City to Tallaght Stadium on Monday night.
The visit of the Rebels is being televised on RTE 2, meaning that the game will take place at the earlier time of 7:05PM.
Hoops boss Pat Fenlon gave his thoughts ahead of the game to the assembled media at Tallaght Stadium on Staurday afternoon.
“They’ve been difficult games,” Fenlon said about the 0-0 draws that Rovers have achieved on the two occasions that they’ve taken on John Caulfield’s men this season.
“We expect the same again on Monday. They have got some good players. It is a big game for us, especially after last night (with Cork dropping three points).”
Injuries and suspensions have meant that sights of Danny North and Mikey Drennan playing together have been very limited. However, both started and got on the score sheet against Longford Town at the City Calling Stadium on Friday night.
“It is great to have Danny (North) back. He has been out a long time for us, missing a lot of the season through injury. He is natural goalscorer and finisher. That’s one thing we probably have missed here when the games have been tight. We’ve created some chances but maybe not taken them,” the ex-Hibs boss admitted.
“Mikey (Drennan) has been out a bit and hasn’t played a lot of league games recently. For a young player to score 11 goals is a good return. He is a young player who we are trying to develop and get better.”
Stephen McPhail will continue to miss out, as he furthers his recovery from injury; midfield duo Dylan Kavanagh and Ryan Brennan are both doubts with the later more likely to make the squad. Kieran Marty Waters misses out through suspension after his red card against St Patrick’s Athletic; Patrick Cregg is set to come back into the Rovers line up after serving his one match ban away at Longford; while Damien Duff could make his Hoops bow after being an unused substitute on Friday night.
CORK CITY
Cork City and John Caulfield will be looking to bounce back from a disappointing defeat to Munster rivals Limerick when they travel to Tallaght Stadium on Monday night.
City boss Caulfield had saw his side go 12 games unbeaten before Friday night’s defeat at home to Martin Russell’s men and the ex-City player is expecting a positive reaction from his players at the Dublin venue.
“Last year we were brilliant at bouncing back and this year, after losing to Dundalk, we went twelve or thirteen games unbeaten, so we are looking for a big reaction on Monday,” Caulfield told corkcityfc.ie.
“It’s live on TV, it’s a huge game and we are hoping to bounce back with a really positive performance.
Despite his eagerness to get back to winning ways against the Hoops, Caulfield is under no illusion that Fenlon’s men will be easy prey.
“It will be a very difficult game against (Shamrock) Rovers, they’re doing really well this season and they obviously feel that they can win the league as well,” Caulfield said.
“It is a huge game for both teams, and it is important for us to bounce back. Despite the fact that we have a few injuries, we are still looking forward to the match.”
City Captain John Dunleavy fractured his cheekbone in Friday’s defeat to Limerick and as a result he will be out for a long period of time, Danny Morrissey will also miss out after sustaining a hamstring injury in training last week, Kevin O’Connor and Gavin Holohan will also sit this one out through injury; while Mark O’Sullivan is doubtful for the trip after being substituted with a knee injury at halftime of the Limerick defeat.
Referee: Tomas Connolly
MATCH STATS
Shamrock Rovers will be looking to avoid back-to-back home defeats for the first time this season.
City have conceded just six goals away from Turners cross in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division this season. No side have conceded fewer.
The Hoops’ last league victory over the Rebels came in a 2-1 win at Tallaght Stadium back in September of 2013.
BETTING
Shamrock Rovers 5/4; Draw 11/5; Cork City 11/5.
PREDICTION
Shamrock Rovers 0-1 Cork City.
Shamrock Rovers
Injured: Stephen McPhail.
Doubtful: Dylan Kavanagh, Ryan Brennan.
Suspended: Kieran Marty Waters.
Cork City
Injured: John Dunleavy, Danny Morrissey, Gavin Holohan, Kevin O’Connor.
Doubtful: Mark O’Sullivan.
Suspended: None.
About Josh Dolan
Josh Dolan is one of our Dublin based reporters, who also helps out with Extratime.ie’s administration tasks.
Josh, who was recommended to us by fellow reporters, joined the site as a teenager …