EA Sports Cup Preview: Bohemians -v- Cork City

BOHEMIANS

Bohemians will look to turn Dalymount Park into a fortress once more after losing their last three at home when they welcome Cork City in the EA Sports Cup (kick-offn 7.45pm).

Friday night saw Keith Long’s side fall to a 2-1 defeat at home to Sligo Rovers, Romeo Parkes netting his second goal late on after Conor Levingston had equalised.

The Gypsies saw captain Derek Pender handed a straight red card for what was deemed a reckless challenge, and he’s one of eight first-team players unavailable.

“There is no let-up in games,” Long told the club’s website.

“We just have to dust ourselves down. We’re two games away from a cup final so this is a game we all want to win.

“Obviously our team selection in a lot of areas will be dictated by who we have available given the number of players out at the moment.

“We’ll see how we go in terms of bodies as we have a number of injuries but we have talented players at the club who want to show they can make that step up to first-team football.

“So now is a chance for them to do that again and we hope our supporters can get behind them once more.”

Dinny Corcoran faces a lengthy spell out after fracturing a bone in his foot on Friday, joining Keith Buckley, Rob Cornwall, Danny Grant and Cristian Magerusan on the treatment table.

Derek Pender and Conor Levingston both miss out with suspension, Pender for his red card on Friday, while Aaron Barry can’t play against his parent club.

CORK CITY

Cork City visit Dublin for the third time in a week as they look to rebound from Friday night’s defeat to Shamrock Rovers across the river.

Second-half goals from Joey O’Brien and former Bohs defender Roberto Lopes saw interim manager John Cotter preside over his second defeat in five games.

The first of those games was, coincidentally, against Bohs at Dalymount Park in the league and Cotter got off to a winning start with a 1-0 triumph.

Conor McCarthy’s first-half header was the difference that day and Cotter anticipates no less intense an encounter on Monday.

“There will be a few lads coming into the team, but it is a quarter final of a cup and we are going up there to win the match and hopefully get through,” said Cotter.

“We have never had an easy game at Dalymount Park. We went up there three weeks ago and got a great result, but it was a tough game and we expect more of the same.

“They were beaten Friday night, but I watched the game and they didn’t deserve to lose it, so no doubt they will feel they are due a win.

“We were disappointed to lose on Friday, but I said a few weeks ago, after we lost to Dundalk, that you need a game quickly to bounce back.

“We reacted well and beat UCD that time, so we will be looking for that again tomorrow. You need to pick yourself up and go again, and that’s what we will do tomorrow.”

Cian Murphy is out for the medium term with a hamstring injury while Conor McCormack, Karl Sheppard and Gary Boylan are all doubts after picking up knocks.

Referee: Robert Hennessy

MATCH STATS

The sides have met twice this season with City holding the upper hand on both occasions, winning 2-0 at home and 1-0 away in the league.

City and Bohs met in cup action last season, when goals from Graham Cummins and Karl Sheppard earned the Leesiders a 2-1 win in the FAI Cup semi-final replay.

BETTING

Bohemians 6/4; Draw 9/5; Cork City 7/4.

PREDICTION

Bohemians 1 – 2 Cork City

Bohemians

Injured: Keith Buckley (leg), Dinny Corcoran (foot), Rob Cornwall (achilles), Danny Grant (hamstring), Cristian Magerusan (cruciate).

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Conor Levingston, Derek Pender.

Unavailable: Aaron Barry (loan terms).

Cork City

Injured: Cian Murphy (hamstring).

Doubtful: Gary Boylan, Conor McCormack, Karl Sheppard.

Suspended: None.