Bohemians -v- Cork City

• Graeme McQueen
• Fri, Aug 07 2009


With their off-field troubles now apparently resolved, Cork City can now switch their attentions fully to matters on the pitch once more.

The club's immediate future was secured earlier this week after it settled its tax liability with the Revenue Commissioners. With that battle won, the challenge for Cork City now is to revive their fading hopes of mounting a Premier League title challenge.

If they are to get themselves back into contention then a win against lead leaders Bohemians at Dalymount Park on Friday night is a must. The Leesiders currently lie six points behind Bohs and three behind second place Shamrock Rovers.

Despite their survival struggles, Cork have maintained some decent form of late and will go into the game full of confidence following three wins in five league games during the month of July. The most recent of those wins came last Friday night when they secured a narrow 1-0 victory over Bray Wanderers at Turner's Cross.

According to Cork manager Paul Doolin: "The players have been excellent. To still be where we are in the table under the strain we have faced is a credit to them. It’s going to be a tough game; the two games between ourselves and Bohs this season have been close. We won at Dalymount and then they came down to Cork and claimed the win. I would imagine it will be another tight game, but we would hope to pick up a result on Friday night.”

Bohemians also go into the game on a high after they won through into the final of the EA Sports Cup on Monday night, with an extratime victory over Sligo Rovers. However, Bohs' lead at the the top of the League was cut to three points last weekend as they were held to a 1-1 draw at United Park against Drogheda United.

Manager Pat Fenlon will be looking for his side to get back to winning ways, but he is under no illusions about the size of the task his side face against Cork. "It’s going to be a very tough game," Fenlon said. “They came to Dalymount already and beat us. Although they’ve had problems off the field, they’re still in the shake-up, the players have just got on with it, so I think that shows the type of character they have.”

Fenlon has a number of injury concerns going into the game with Jason McGuinness (back) and Anto Murphy (ankle) both missing. Owen Heary came off the bench against Sligo in midweek, but is unlikely to start as he continues his recovery from a hamstring injury. Glen Crowe is available again having shaken off an ankle knock.

Cork also have a number of injury concerns. Gareth Cambridge picked up a hamstring injury in the win over Bray, which means he will miss out, while Joe Gamble is a major doubt with a knee injury.

The game kicks off at 19.45.

Extratime.ie prediction With the club's future now apparently secured, Cork can now fully concentrate on football matters. The Rebel Army marched in on Dalymount and left with all three points back in March and don't be surprised if at least another one is on the bus back to Cork come 21.30 on Friday night.