League Preview: Cork City -v- Limerick
- Tom Clancy
- Fri, Mar 13 2015
CORK CITY
Turners Cross plays host to Cork City for the first time in 2015, as John Caulfield’s side host early basement boys Limerick. Kick-off is at 7.45.
A late goal at Sligo Rovers last weekend meant it was business as usual for Cork, but Caulfield will hope that the reliance on late goals can be reduced by more convincing wins this campaign. His side did lose to Limerick in the Munster Senior Cup.
The hosts look to be without Rob Lehane (groin) and Alan Smith (back) while Michael McSweeney has a hamstring problem. Winger Billy Dennehy returns from suspension.
Home fans can cast their eye over winter acquisitions Karl Sheppard, Colin Healy and ex-Blue Kieran Djilali for the first time on Friday evening.
Those fans, who’ll be hoping for a first Premier Division title since 2005 were praised by Caulfield during the week, “Turner’s Cross was a special place last year and there is huge enthusiasm again this year; everyone who was there last year will want to come back, and there are new people saying they are going to follow us this season, which is fantastic.”
While he also added, “We saw last year that the atmosphere was incredible and there is no doubt in my mind that the crowd was responsible for a lot of the positive results that we got.”
With that in mind, a big crowd will be expected as the Rebels look for their fifth consecutive home win.
LIMERICK
A far from ideal start for Limerick has seen them knocked out of the EA Sports Cup by First Division Cobh, just days after the Blues slumped to a home defeat against Bohemians.
Fans are well aware of the struggles they face this season, though after knocking Cork out of the Munster Senior Cup they will be hopeful of a similar style upset on Leeside.
Robbie Williams and Paudie O’Connor should return to defence having been rested against Cobh, while Vinny Faherty may revert to the bench should Russell deploy just one attacker against many people’s favourites for the title.
The lack of depth in the squad means injuries could be detrimental, though Russell has a full party with Colm Murphy the only exception.
Manager Martin Russell was quick to move on from the Cobh defeat “We now go and look forward to the game on Friday, the Munster Derby, to go out and play well and get a result.”
He was also aware of the challenge against Cork “It will be extremely difficult but we’ll give ourselves the best chance by playing in patches like we did and show the application that we did on Tuesday.”
In a game that it’s difficult to see an upset, Limerick will have to be at their very best to get some points on the board.
Referee: Tom Connolly
MATCH STATS
City won all three League games between the sides last season, with an aggregate score of 6-1.
With 46 League appearances, Robbie Williams has more League appearances for Limerick than any other player in the current squad.
Only Williams remains from the starting XI from Limerick’s last win on Leeside (3-2, May 2013). While Shane Duggan scored for Cork that day.
BETTING
Cork City 2/5 Draw 15/4 Limerick 8/1
PREDICTION
Cork City 2-0 Limerick
Cork City
Injured: Rob Lehane (groin), Alan Smith (back), Michael McSweeney (hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
Limerick
Injured: Colm Murphy (Hamstring)
Doubtful: None
Suspended: None
About Tom Clancy
Introduced to the League of Ireland in 2005, Tom has seen Limerick play at four different grounds down the years. He began writing for Extratime in late 2013 and was delighted to report on the …