League Preview: Dundalk -v- Cork City

DUNDALK

Dundalk entertain Cork City at Oriel Park on Monday night in the first set of double fixture weekends of the new season.

Fresh from a cobwebby win over Derry City on the opening night, courtesy of a tidy finish from left back Dane Massey, the Lilywhites travelled to a sodden Tolka Park to record a 2-1 victory over newly promoted Shelbourne.

Gary Deegan's thunderbolt the only blot on a night where set pieces from Michael Duffy set up close range finishes for Andy Boyle and Patrick Hoban respectively.

Despite taking maximum points from their opening games, Vinny Perth will make a few changes ahead of Friday’s clash between fellow title rivals Shamrock Rovers at Tallaght Stadium.

The likes of Daniel Kelly and Sean Murray may be eyeing starts while Sean Hoare, Andy Boyle and Daniel Cleary need to fill two spots in central defence with Brian Gartland, yet to start in the league in 2020, another strong contender for a starting berth.

Despite the strong start, when talking to dundalkfc.com, defender Dane Massey said; ‘The rivalry between us and Cork City is still there. We have been up there with each other for the past few years so it’s always going to be a big game.

“It doesn’t matter when you play Cork it is always a tough game and we know what kind of game it’s going to be but we are confident and in good form so hopefully we can get another win'.

CORK CITY

Neale Fenn's season could hardly have started any worse, with a late goal from ex City loanee Ciarán Kilduff taking all three points for Shelbourne at Turner’s Cross on matchnight one and an electric Graham Burke shocking the Leesiders with a five goal haul at the weekend.

However, the side have players with international underage pedigree in keeper Liam Bossin, tricky wingers in the shape of Dylan McGlade and Daire O’Connor and experience in the likes of skipper Gearóid Morrissey.

Speaking to www.corkcityfc.ie, manager Neale Fenn spoke positively; “This is another game, another opportunity and it is chance for the boys to go back out and show that they are good players.

“We have to be positive; we have to take our last game against Dundalk, the first half an hour on Friday, we have to take all of that into it and look at it like that.

“We have to go out and try to give a good account of ourselves.”

With the reality that Cork are going to be at the lower end of the league and on the back of a heavy defeat, Fenn may feel the need to freshen up the starting eleven – especially ahead of facing Finn Harps on Friday.

Following defender Deshane Dalling's debut dismissal, at least one change will be enforced while others are expected.

Youngster Cian Bargary returns to the first team squad while Cian Coleman and Conor Davis remain unavailable through injury.

Referee: Paul McLaughlin

MATCH STATS

Only three of the Cork City squad for 2020 scored in the league for the club in 2019- Cian Bargary, Gearóid Morrissey and Daire O Connor.

Dundalk’s last loss to Cork City was at Turner’s Cross at the tail end of last season when the aforementioned O'Connor scored in a 1-0 victory.

The last player to score a hat trick in the fixture was Seánie Maguire who notched a treble in the league encounter between the sides in June 2017.

BETTING

Dundalk 1/10; Draw 6/1; Cork City 22/1.

PREDICTION

Dundalk 3- 0 Cork

Dundalk

Injured: None.

Doubtful: John Mountney, Sean Murray

Suspended: None

Cork City

Injured: Cian Coleman, Conor Davis

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Deshane Dalling.