Cork retain winning line-up to play Rovers
Manager Liam Murphy will welcome back from injury Conor O'Grady and Declan Daly by assigning them places on the substitutes' bench. Cork's winning run this season they have lost only once in 10 matches means there will be few, if any, changes from the team that beat Finn Harps in the Cup replay.
That is not to suggest that Cork's team is the finished product. There were times during the match with Harps when Cork looked fragile, and while their winning margin of 2-0 looked convincing on paper, the reality was different.
Certain it is that Cork will not be allowed take anything for granted against Rovers, for the Dubliners are in need of points desperately and manager Liam Buckley is in the happy position of having a couple of his own injured players returning to strengthen his hand.
Rovers have won only five points from seven league matches, so Buckley will find places for James Keddy on the left wing and Richie Byrne at left-back. Keddy, who missed their last couple of matches because of a hamstring strain, was a big loss.
The picture for Rovers is further brightened by the availability of midfielder Derek Treacy, who has been missing since the first week of the season with an achilles tendon problem. Treacy will team up in central midfield with Luke Dimach, in whom Rovers have invested a lot of faith.
Dimach played last weekend for Malta in a European Championship qualifying tie against Slovenia, which Malta lost 0-3. He has played just once for Rovers, but he was impressive in helping them to draw with Shelbourne in a scoreless match.
Treacy and Dimach will offer Cork's midfielders, Alan Reynolds and Greg O'Halloran, a vigorous contest for control of the game. The Rovers pair will have the backing of formidable defenders Pat Scully and Stephen McGuinness, and Cork will need top form if they are to enjoy a return in this area.
Cork's exciting strike force of John O'Flynn and George O'Callaghan again impressed against Harps, but would have made a bigger impact had they been in receipt of a good service. Cork's midfielders were too often bypassed by their defenders, and if Cork are to capitalise on the skill of their youngsters, they must work more through their midfielders in their build-up play.
Rovers' poor record this season will count for nothing on the night, for they are bound to respond to the exciting atmosphere generated by Cork's fans.
"We know how dangerous Rovers can be," Murphy said.
"They have a very experienced group of players and this will be a battle. The good thing from our point of view is that we have been scoring goals and creating chances, and that is what we aim to do again," he said.
The clash of Bohemians and Shelbourne at Tolka Park will offer spectators a fascinating contest between the four wingers on view, in the opinion of Bohs' manager Stephen Kenny.
"Bobby Ryan and Mark Rutherford were in great form for us when we beat Bray by four goals in the Cup, and they are flying at the moment," Kenny said.
"It will be interesting to compare them with Shels' pair of Wes Houlihan and Ollie Cahill," he said.
Houlihan was devastating in his first match for Ireland's Under-21 international team against Finland in Helsinki, but he suffered like his team-mates against Russia. He is a highly-skilled and imaginative player when in form.
Bohs will have Derek Coughlan at centre-back and his fitness will benefit from his run of matches in the absence of Colin Hawkins with a rib injury. Bohs have been in sparkling form and Shels will do well to take a point here.
Shelbourne will be unchanged from the team that beat Dundalk 2-0 in the President's Cup final, so Tony Sheridan will not be make a comeback.
Sheridan guested for them against Dundalk but Shels have not offered him a new contract.
St Patrick's Athletic will wait until the last moment to finalise their team for the match against Longford Town at Richmond Park.
They have worries about the fitness of Paul Osam and striker Ger McCarthy. After losing twice in a row to Derry, Pats will be keen to recover winning ways before the visit of Cork City to Richmond Park on Monday.
Longford manager Alan Matthews will restore Barry Ferguson to the team at centre-back after he has served his suspension, but must wait for new signing Avery John to serve a carry-over one-match ban.
The defender was offered a contract by Colchester United but was unable to obtain a work permit.
Tonight's fixtures (7.45pm), Eircom League, premier division:
Cork City v Shamrock Rovers, Turner's Cross;
Bray Wanderers v Derry City;
St Patrick's Athletic v Longford Town, Richmond Park;
Shelbourne v Bohemians, Tolka Park;
Drogheda United v UCD, United Park.
CONNECT WITH US TODAY
Be the first to know the latest news and updates
