FAI Cup Preview: Galway United -v- Cork City

GALWAY UNITED

Galway United welcome Cork City to Eamonn Deacy Park with quiet confidence of causing an FAI Cup upset on home turf (kick-off 7.45pm).

Alan Murphy’s side have won their last two games on the bounce after Conor Barry’s early strike proved decisive away to Cabinteely.

The same player struck twice the previous week as Galway came from behind to see off Collinstown 2-1 at Whitehall Stadium in Dublin.

"There's a real buzz about this weekend's cup game," Murphy told the club’s official website.

"It's a break from the league and it's a real opportunity for our players to test themselves against household names in our league.

"It's a Cork City side that is full of talent and experience, so it's going to be a big one for us.

"We've got confidence from the last two performances and wins but we know we're up against a different challenge when we face Cork City.

"They'll be everyone's favourites to progress and it will be a difficult task for us, but we've got our work done and we'll apply ourselves in the correct order."

Iarfhlaith Davoren and Andrew Peters are doubtful with knocks but Vinny Faherty returns to contention after missing the trip to Cabo with injury.



CORK CITY

John Cotter will take charge of Cork City for the final time as they travel to Galway to face First Division opposition for the second successive round.

City required penalties to see off promotion-chasing Cabo after their first round game at Stradbrook Park finished 2-2 after extra time.

Ronan Hurley equalised in the 120th minute after Rob Manley had nudged Cabo in front. Manley’s miss in the shoot-out allowed Gearoid Morrissey to seal it for City.

Conor McCarthy had put City in front in the first half but an error from Mark McNulty allowed Kevin Knight to bundle the ball into the net.

Another McCarthy, and Mark O’Sullivan’s first since returning to the club, saw the Rebel Army to a 2-1 win over Waterford in the league last week.



“It’ll be a tough game, no doubt,” Cotter said at his weekly press conference.

“Going up there, you need to prepare right and give them the respect that they deserve. Hopefully we’ll go up there and do enough to get through.

“A lot of Premier Division teams had tough games in the last round against First Division sides. They’ll cause us a few problems, but it’s how you approach the game too.

“It’ll be a tough game no doubt, but hopefully the attitude will be right and we’ll perform well and get to the quarter finals.”

Cian Bargary and Cian Murphy continue to miss out with injury while Conor McCormack is suspended after accumulating his eighth yellow card of the season against Cabo.

Referee: Rob Rogers.

MATCH STATS

The sides last met in 2017 when Galway United were last a Premier Division team.

4-0 and 2-1 wins at home helped City seal the league title that season, while the game at Deacy Park finished in a 1-1 draw.

BETTING

Galway United 6/1; Draw 3/1; Cork City 4/11.

PREDICTION

Galway United 1 – 0 Cork City

Galway United

Injured: None.

Doubtful: Iarfhlaith Davoren, Andrew Peters.

Suspended: None.

Cork City

Injured: Cian Bargary, Cian Murphy.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: Conor McCormack.