Preview: Cork City vs Bray Wanderers

• Caeliv Donnelly
• Thu, Mar 06 2008




The Eircom League kicks off in earnest leeside way with the opening night clash of Cork City and Bray Wanderers at Turners Cross tomorrow night, Friday the 7th of March. (K.O. 7.45)

It’s been a tumultuous off season for the Rebel Army. New Manager, new assistant Manger, new kit and some new sponsors aside – it’s the long overdue loosening of the purse strings from the hierarchy of the club which has created a new “buzz” by the banks of the lee.

Arguably not since the arrival of a convoy of Bulgarians during Noel O’Mahony’s reign has there been so many new faces among the playing staff of Cork City F.C. However some of these “new” faces are well known to the Turner’s Cross faithful. Cult heroes Danny Murphy and George O’Callaghan arrive back at the “Cross” after spells across the water. Their presence, added to the arrival of Dave Mulcahy, Pat Sullivan and Dave Mooney from Waterford and Longford respectively, have given Cork’s previously threadbare squad a much needed facelift. Added to the fact that this will be Colin Healy’s and Gareth Farrelly’s first full season with Cork City and the club new owners have certainly been seen to flex their financial muscle.

It’s quite easy to forget with all the recent signings that there is a new manager at the helm. Despite all the controversy in the off season, Alan Matthews has been seen to go about his business in a quiet, professional manner. However with such a good squad in place he will be under pressure to lead this squad to the top of the league – a difficult task in his first season at one of Ireland’s biggest clubs.

Bray have been through their fair share also in the off season. Bray’s largely positive pre-season has been blighted with the departure of Clive Delaney to Derry City. However Bray have added eight players to their squad, giving them reason, along with City, to be hopeful about the up-coming campaign. The Shamrock Rovers trio of Derek Pender, Andy Meyler and Ger Rowe will add some much needed depth to the squad. Also signed are defenders Kevin Doherty from relegated Longford Town and Derek Foran, in on a loan deal from St. Patrick’s Athletic. Both should find themselves places in the starting XI, which will compensate somewhat for the departure of Delaney.

“Seagulls” boss Eddie Gormley and his new assistant Paul Osam have doubts over the new signings, Doherty and Foran, for the trip to Cork. Bray are hopeful that both can recover from knocks picked up in their final pre-season spin against Kildare last week, a game incidentally which Bray won one-nil.

Alan Matthews and his deputy Paul McGee will also have to plan without a new signing tomorrow night – Pat Sullivan’s small matter of a cup final red card will ironically deny him a chance to make his home debut. However apart from that, Matthew’s will pick from a full deck - although it remains unclear how he will shuffle his side from City’s opening Setanta Cup win away to the Dungannon Swifts.

Possible teams:

Cork City: Devine, Horgan, Mulcahy, Murray, Ryan, Healy, Kearney, Gamble, O’Callaghan, O’Flynn, Mooney

Bray Wanderers: O’Connor, Tressan, Pender, Doherty, Ivory, Whelan, Kavanagh, Cawley, Georgescu, Meyler, Rowe