19.45 24 Mar 2015 -
Referee:
League Preview: Cork City -v- Galway United
- John O'Shea
- Mon, Mar 23 2015
CORK CITY
The season has started off on a good note overall for Cork City so far. John Caulfield’s side won their last home game in impressive fashion, beating Munster rivals Limerick 5-0.
The Rebel Army have also picked up respectable draws away to Sligo and Shamrock Rovers to date. Up next is a clash with Galway United at Turners Cross tomorrow night, a game in which the City supporters will be hoping for another three points. The Galway clash will be an interesting one, as former manager Tommy Dunne will be in the opposition dugout.
Cork have shown that there is talent in abundance in this year’s squad, with plenty of options going forward for Caulfield to choose from in what the Leesiders will be hoping will be another excellent attacking display.
Speaking ahead of the game, Caulfield commented that Tommy Dunne will have a point to prove against City.
"It is good for Tommy coming back. He may feel he has a point to prove. But the important thing is that we go out and get the three points. We need to get back to scoring goals," the Cork City boss said.
In team news, Rob Lehane and Josh O'Shea have both recovered from knocks which means that with no fresh injury concerns Michael McSweeney(hamstring) is the only player set to miss out through injury.
GALWAY UNITED
Galway United make the trip to Turners Cross on the back of their opening league win of the season. Enda Curran got the only goal of the game as Galway recorded a 1-0 victory over Drogheda United, so the Tribesmen should be in confident mood ahead of their trip to Cork.
It promises to be a big night for manager Tommy Dunne, who was the boss at Cork City between 2010 and 2013. He led Cork back to the Premier Division after the club’s dice with death, so he will have plenty of memories of Turners Cross as he makes his first trip down as the manager of an opposing side.
Speaking ahead of his return to Cork, Dunne said “Cork is a great place to go and play. It is a fantastic stadium with a great support behind their team. We will be playing against one of the top teams in the country. There is no pressure on our guys going to Turners Cross, they will go down and give everything they have.”
Galway will be without the suspended Sam Oji, who was shown a red card in their last league game.
While Mark Ludden(knee) and Enda Curran(calf strain) join long term injury victims, Killian Cantwell(knee) and Ger Hanley (achilles) in missing Tuesday's game while Colm Horgan has been ruled a doubt as he has the flu.
Referee: Padraigh Sutton.
MATCH STATS
Galway have won only one of the last 20 league meetings between the sides.
Cork City have won each of their last eight league games played on a Tuesday.
The last time Galway United won on Leeside was 12th November 1993 in Bishopstown. On that day, (future Cork City player) Mark Herrick opened the scoring for the visitors before setting up John Brennan for a second. Dave Barry did manage to pull one back for the home side, but it wasn’t enough to stop Galway winning on the day.
BETTING
Home 4/11; Draw 16/5; Away 9/1.
PREDICTION
Cork City 2-0 Galway United
Cork City
Injured: Michael McSweeney
Doubtful: None.
Suspended: None.
Galway United
Injured: Killian Cantwell, Enda Curran, Ger Hanley, Mark Ludden.
Doubtful: Colm Horgan.
Suspended: Samuel Oji.
About John O'Shea
John is a Cork based reporter, mainly covering Cork City and Cobh Ramblers. John also reports regularly on Munster Senior League and Cork Youths League football for the Evening Echo. John has also freelanced for …