League Preview: Cork City -v- Bohemians
- John O'Shea
- Thu, Jul 30 2015
CORK CITY
Cork City will continue their pursuit of Premier Division leaders Dundalk on Friday night, when they host Bohemians at Turner’s Cross. John Caulfield’s side are experienced predators in this situation and as the 2014 season proved, it is far from impossible for the Leesiders to close the gap and overtake the Lilywhites.
It is crucial for Cork to maintain the belief that this very impressive Dundalk side can be caught. If City picked up a result similar to their 1-1 draw in Oriel Park last weekend, then last year’s Premier Division title would have gone back to Turners Cross.
The challenge posed by Bohemians will be a big one however, with the Gypsies causing City numerous problems throughout their recent meetings in both the league and the cup competitions.
It also promises to be an intriguing night for Steven Beattie, who faces off against his former side in his league debut at Turners Cross for City. Beattie impressed during his time with the then managed Owen Heary’s side, which included finding the net in a victory against Cork.
But Beattie has shown all of the ingredients so far to be a fans favorite with the Leesiders, scoring on his competitive debut with a headed effort away to Longford Town.
The experienced duo of Colin Healy and Liam Miller will have a key role in setting an example to the younger players in the City dressing room and taking matters on the pitch into their own hands.
Karl Sheppard’s goals have been crucial and they will need him to continue firing, as the side head into a vitally important section of the season.
At the club’s weekly press conference, Caulfield spoke about how it is all about keeping within touching distance of Dundalk.
“The crucial thing for us now is to try and keep the pressure on. Friday night is a big game, a difficult game and I am hoping the supporters will come out in massive numbers and really row in behind us, because in the second half of the season it is going to be crucial for us to hang in there right until the end”
John Kavanagh will miss the game as a result of a hamstring injury, while Gavan Holohan will also be out as a consequence of an ankle injury sustained up in Dundalk last Sunday.
While Darren Dennehy is also ruled out because of injury, Ross Gaynor is expected to be available for selection having returned to training.
BOHEMIANS
Bohemians have been quite the thorn in the side for Cork City in their recent meetings and they will be seeking to do likewise on Friday night, in the process doing Dundalk a huge favor.
The Gypsies have been resilient and have impressed many with some of their performances this season, keeping pace with sides such as Cork and they are only 8 points behind their hosts going into this game. They are still in contention for a European place at the moment, just 3 points behind Dublin rivals St Patrick’s Athletic and Shamrock Rovers.
Ismahil Akinade has impressed in his early stages with the Dalymount Park club and he will be a real danger for the Cork defenders. However he is a doubt because of a shoulder injury sustained in last week’s victory over Derry.
The likes of Keith Buckley are among the others who Bohemians will look to for a big display on Friday.
Bohemians were in devastating form last week at home to Derry City, with four goals in a nine minute period helping the Dublin side on their way to all three points, in a game that eventually finished up 4-2.
Speaking to bohemianfc.com ahead of Friday’s encounter, manager Keith Long acknowledges that it will be a difficult test for his side, but he feels they can pick up a result down in Turners Cross.
“They have good players, experienced and international players. They are a top side and it’s a tough challenge, but we have to go down there and test ourselves against them. If we’re organized and disciplined we have a chance of picking up points.”
Along with Akinade, Bohemians have injury concerns over Lorcan Fitzgerald, who is rated as 50/50 because of a hamstring injury, while they are defiantly without long term injury victims Dan Byrne and Marc Griffin. Anto Murphy and Paddy Kavanagh will miss the game through suspension.
Referee: Padraigh Sutton
MATCH STATS
Following Cork’s draw away to Dundalk in Oriel Park last week, they along with Bohemians are the only sides to take any points away from the home of the league champions. The Gypsies won 2-1 up in County Louth back in June.
Cork City midfielder Steven Beattie scored the opening goal for Bohemians in a 2-0 victory over the Leesiders at Dalymount Park in July 2014.
Billy Dennehy, who is departing the club, scored the winning goal when the sides last met at Turners Cross in a 1-0 victory in October 2014.
BETTING
Cork City 1/2; Draw 29/10 ; Bohemians 6/1.
PREDICTION
Cork City 2-1 Bohemians
Cork City
Injured: John Kavanagh, Gavan Holohan.
Doubtful: Darren Dennehy
Suspended: None
Bohemians
Injured: Dan Byrne, Marc Griffin.
Doubtful: Ismahil Akinade, Lorcan Fitzgerald.
Suspended: Anto Murphy, Paddy Kavanagh.
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 …