League Preview: St. Patrick's Athletic -v- Cork City
Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)
Inconsistent St. Patrick’s Athletic take on the challenge of struggling Cork City in a crucial encounter in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division at Richmond Park on Friday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
ST. PATRICK’S ATHLETIC
The Saints will be looking to achieve their first home win of the season when they clash with the Rebels under the Friday night lights in Inchicore. This already has the ingredients for a relegation six pointer given the relatively poor start to the season for both sides.
Stephen O’Donnell’s men experienced their first Dublin derby of the season last Friday evening when they made the short journey across the Liffey to face newly promoted rivals Shelbourne at Tolka Park.
It was a keenly contested affair buoyed by an electric atmosphere generated by the Drumcondra faithful but it was Shels who hit the front mid-way through the first half courtesy of Jaze Kabia. The Saints tried to claw their way back into the game but faced a mammoth task in the second half when Rory Feely was given his marching orders after 69 minutes.
St. Pat’s threw the kitchen sink at Shels but the home side stood firm and eventually ran out 1-0 winners to inflict a second league defeat in three matches for St. Patrick’s Athletic.
The Saints boss Stephen O’Donnell has spoken of how he feels his patient approach will eventually yield dividends telling www.stpatsfc.com of his ambition to integrate a positive style of football and believes that there is evidence so far that the team is beginning to work as a cohesive unit.
New signing Billy King has endeared himself to the Pat’s fans who have been bowled over by his impressive displays so far this campaign.
The Scot has added a new dimension to the Saints with his pace and creativity on the wing and could be a key figure in the Pat’s dressing room this season.
Pats boss Stephen O’Donnell will be able to select from a fully fit squad for tomorrow’s match but will have to cope without the services of the suspended Rory Feely following his dismissal against Shelbourne but received a welcome boost with the return of Ollie Younger from suspension.
CORK CITY
Neale Fenn’s charges make the long and arduous journey to the capital hopeful of building upon last week’s success against Finn Harps by making it back to back wins.
The Rebels produced a defensive masterclass to keep Finn Harps scoreless and finally got their first win of the season under their belt last Friday night.
It was a tight and tense tussle in the first half with both sides cancelling each other out leaving the nervous home fans on tender hooks as the sides went in 0-0 at half-time. Neale Fenn’s pep talk during the interval seemed to have the desired effect as Cork City came out full of intent and ten minute into the second half they took the lead thanks to a goal from Alec Byrne.
It was no more than Cork City deserved and despite a spirited fightback by Finn Harps managed not to concede and win 1-0 to bring a massive sense of relief to the Cork supporters.
But Fenn is expecting a tough test for his side in Inchicore but feels optimistic about his side getting a positive result telling www.corkcityfc.ie, “We are not looking at league tables or anything, we are just looking at picking up as many points as we can and seeing how can we get the best result we can on the day.
“Going up to places like Pat’s is always difficult; Stevie has got a good squad there but, like ourselves, they probably haven’t quite found their feet yet.
“They will be a very difficult team; we know the way they play, we have watched all of their games, but after winning on Friday, it has given us confidence and we will be going up there to see if we can get a result.”
The Rebels boss Neale Fenn has several selection headaches to contend with as Liam Bossin has joined Conor Davis in the treatment room after sustaining an injury in the win over Finn Harps while captain Gearoid Morrissey is a doubt.
He could be subjected to a late fitness test to be included in the match day squad. Fenn will also be without Deshane Dalling who is still suspended.
Referee: Derek Tomney.
MATCH STATS
St. Patrick’s Athletic and Cork City met each four times in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division last season with the Saints winning the first match 1-0 at Richmond Park, the sides drew 1-1 in the second and third meetings with Pat’s winning the final match 1-0 at Turner’s Cross.
The Saints and The Rebels have met each other 45 times in all competitions since 2006 with Cork City having the marginally better head to head record with 19 wins to St. Pat’s 16 wins and there have been 10 draws.
St. Patrick’s Athletic scored 40 goals averaging 0.89 per game while Cork City scored 45 goals averaging 1 per game.
St. Patrick’s Athletic are currently in 7th place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 3 points with one win and two defeats from their 3 matches.
Cork City are currently in 9th place in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division on 3 points with one win and 3 defeats from their 4 matches.
BETTING
St. Patrick’s Athletic 4/11 Draw 3/1 Cork City 7/1
PREDICTION
St. Patrick’s Athletic 3-1 Cork City
St. Patrick’s Athletic
Injured: None
Doubtful: None
Suspended: Rory Feely
Cork City
Injured: Liam Bossin, Conor Davis
Doubtful: Gearoid Morrissey
Suspended: None
