Rovers aim to maintain momentum against Cork City
Rovers have won five of their last six Eircom League matches, the only blot being their heartbreaking loss in the cup final to Derry City.
Said manager Liam Buckley: “We have played ourselves from near the bottom into the top of the table with good football in recent weeks and this match against Cork is very important to us. If we can win here we will still be on course for a UEFA Cup place on the basis that until Bohs are beaten they must be regarded as champions elect.”
Rovers’ winning run included victories over Bray Wanderers, UCD, St Pat’s, Shelbourne and Drogheda United. In the same period they achieved a draw with Bohs. Cork City manager Liam Murphy knows the league’s second-placed side will need to build on their performances against St Pat’s and Bohs if they are to stay in touch with Bohs.
Said Murphy: “We have shown good fighting qualities in both matches and that has to be a plus. If we can continue to pick up points even when we are not at our best then the picture must be bright.”
Cork will also be encouraged also by their last visit to Dublin, when they scored their first away win of the season by beating Bray 3-2. Said Murphy: “We played very well against Bray. Rovers obviously did very well to hammer Drogheda during the week and we know this will be a big match.
“We beat them in Cork 3-2 and that was a good match so we are looking forward to it. You always look forward to matches when you have something at stake and we want to keep pace with Bohs in case there is any slip-up.”
Cork welcome back George O’Callaghan after the suspension which kept him out of the clash with St Pat’s. Cork won the game 2-0 but were far from convincing.
The disappointing factor for Cork was a video review of the incident in the Bohs game that led to O’Callaghan’s sending-off suggested the decision was totally wrong. This highlighted the flaw in the automatic suspension rule and the FAI should be asked to view the incident and bring their views on it to FIFA Cork will have to find replacements for midfielders Conor O’Grady and Alan Reynolds for the visit to Rovers. O’Grady was forced off against St. Pats by a hamstring injury and Reynolds is suspended.
Greg O’Halloran will occupy a central position, probably with Alan Bennett alongside him. Colin T O’Brien, David Warren and Michael Mulconry are candidates for the position on the right of midfield.
Rovers will wait until shortly before kick-off to confirm the fitness of full-backs Greg Costello and Richie Byrne. Striker Tony Grant is also an injury worry.
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