Cork City -v- Bohemians

CORK CITY

After opening 2013 with a 0-0 draw at Thomond Park against newly promoted Limerick last Sunday evening, Cork City play their first home league game of the season on Friday evening, when they entertain Bohemians at Turner’s Cross.

The Rebel Army enjoyed the best preparation possible for the new year in a pre-season that included impressive home wins in the Setanta Cup against IFA Premiership sides Cliftonville and Crusaders, and after a steady start will be hoping to really get the momentum flowing on Friday night.

Manager Tommy Dunne has almost a full set of players available to him, with Brian Lenihan the only one to miss out. The young midfielder has been side-lined with a groin problem for several months, but is expected to return to light training shortly. John Dunleavy is back in contention for a place in the side, having missed a number of weeks with tonsillitis.

Speaking to CorkCityFC.ie before the fixture, Dunne outlined his hopes for the game: “Tomorrow is a big match for us and we need to try and get off the mark. I went to watch Bohs last Friday; they are a decent team and we have always found it tough against them. We have to make sure we are up to the tempo of the game, and I think if we are, then we will be ok.

“This time of the year, it is more about grinding out results. People might not think it, but we had a good result in Limerick on Sunday. No excuses; we probably had the chances to win it, but we picked up a draw away from home at a tough venue against a tough team. If we can get a win on Friday, then it won’t have been a bad start.”

BOHEMIANS

Following a 2-1 opening day victory against UCD last week, Bohemians will look to get the best start possible by recording their first back-to-back wins of the season on Friday night against Cork City.

The clash down south will be the Gypsies’ first away assignment of the new Airtricity League season, and it comes off the back of a trilogy of games against UCD – including the league encounter a week ago, they’ve played them three times in the last 15 days, recording a loss and a win against them in the Leinster Senior Cup and EA Sports Cup respectively.

With regards to injuries, Bohs supremo Aaron Callaghan has a few worries to contend with. Kevin Devaney is nursing a knock on his ankle, while Dave Scully is suffering with a back strain. New signing Stephen Paisley has also been ill for a couple of days leading up to the clash, and could miss out.

Goals was one front the Dublin outfit struggled with last season – they only managed a paltry total of 35 in the league – but it seems to be a problem that has been addressed – out of the six goals scored against UCD over the three ties, five of them were from strikers. Speaking ahead of the game, manager Aaron Callaghan agreed with this: “It’s an area that we’ve tried to improve on and hopefully that can continue”.

He also gave a few words on the opposition, Cork City, and spoke of how he is expecting a tough fixture: “They’ve spent wisely, brought in a lot of players. They have quite a decent budget down there by all accounts and we’re expecting nothing but a tough game. I watched their draw [against Limerick] and I think it was pretty even. We’re looking forward to it now.”

Referee: Padraig Sutton.

MATCH STATS

In the three encounters between the two sides last season, Bohemians just came out on top, with one win and two draws against Cork City.

Although the league tables are in their infantile form, Bohs come into the meeting top of the table, while City are sitting in eighth.

Cork just edged out Bohs for the last available Setanta Cup spot in 2012, thanking their proficiency in front of goal and steadiness at the back – the Leeside outfit scored more and conceded less goals in 2012 than their visitors this weekend.

BETTING

Cork City 4/5, Draw 9/4, Bohemians 7/2.

PREDICTION

3-1. Bohs come down to Cork leading the league table, but City should have too much for the Dublin side to leave unscathed.

Cork City 

Injured: Brian Lenihan. 
Doubtful: None. 
Suspended: None.

Bohemians

Injured: None
Doubtful: Stephen Paisley, Kevin Devaney, Dave Scully.
Suspended: None.