League Preview: Cork City -v- Dundalk

CORK CITY

After a morale-boosting win over UCD last time out, Cork City welcome league winners Dundalk to Turners Cross this evening in their final home game of the season (kick-off is at 7.45pm).

Neale Fenn has seen his side struggle since his arrival to the club, with the 3-2 win over the Students confirming their survival for another year in the top-flight.

Karl Sheppard, Daire O’Connor and Conor McCormack all got on the scoresheet for the Rebel Army last week to help them over the line against a game UCD.

Students winger Liam Kerrigan saw red for two yellow cards, and despite a UCD fightback at the death, City held firm to see victory for the first time at home since May, against UCD.

Speaking during his pre-match press conference before the visit of Dundalk to the Cross, boss Fenn revealed that there is a good felling around his squad this week.  

“I sensed a little bit of a bounce this week in training, it’s been really bright. It looks like a bit of a weight has been taken off the lads with the win (against UCD). There’s a really good feeling around the squad this week.

“We’re going into the game on Friday, it’ll be difficult. Dundalk have the strongest squad; it’ll be very difficult.

“The two teams were rivals up until this season, so they won’t want to come here and be beaten. I’m sure they’ll come here and put out their best team and give it their best shot.

“Conor McCarthy picked up a problem yesterday with his quad, so we’ll have to monitor that.

“Ronan Hurley is back training fully which is great news, Kevin O’Connor and Garry Buckley are back, so we have a full squad to pick from.”

DUNDALK

After defeat last time out away to Bohemians at Dalymount Park, Vinny Perth’s Dundalk travel down south to face Cork City at Turners Cross.

A game that has been a title-decider in recent years, Dundalk travel south to face a beleaguered City, who only secured their Premier Division as early as last week.

However, the Lilywhites will have been jolted back into gear following their defeat away to Bohemians, with goalkeeper Gary Rogers expecting his side to bounce back in the aftermath of last week’s defeat to the Gypsies.  

“There’s a lot of football to play between now and the end of the season. We have so many matches over a short space of time, but we are used to that and we are looking forward to the games over the next few weeks.

“We have two league games before the FAI Cup final and Cork City away is always a difficult game. It will always have its own spice attached to it, so we know that going down there, we want to get back winning and it’s a great game to go into.

“They are all great games to play in and we are looking forward to it. Hopefully we can go there and get the victory.”

Dundalk will have no injury issues to contend with or suspensions ahead of their trip to Turners Cross.

Referee: Robert Hennessey.

MATCH STATS

Vinny Perth’s Lilywhites have only conceded nine goals away from home in the league all season, while also scoring 30 on their travels.

On the other hand, Neale Fenn’s Cork City have only won at Turners Cross three times all season, with seven draws and defeats not helping their cause as they flirted with relegation for the most part of the season.

In terms of City’s goal difference of -18 this season, their GD total for the 2018 campaign was +44, as John Caulfield led his Rebel Army to second place in the Premier Division.

BETTING

Cork City 7/1; Draw 7/2; Dundalk 1/3.

PREDICTION

Cork City 1 - 4 Dundalk

Cork City

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Conor McCarthy.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.