Fenlon and Mathews take opposing roles for Dalymount clash
The Gypsies made up some ground on table-toppers St Patrick’s Athletic with a narrow win at Cobh, which sees them in second spot and four points off the summit.
But to maintain that position they will have to rectify some indifferent home form which has seen them win just one of their home games in the almost-completed first series of league games.
But despite Cork’s own poor form away from Turner’s Cross, Fenlon is not taking the task lightly.
“Cork have some smashing players and they are settling into a pattern under Alan,” he said.
“Their midfield is very strong and this sector will probably be the key to the outcome of Sunday’s game.
“No team can dominate a match for 90 minutes and I expect Cork to exert some sustained pressure on us for at least a portion of the game.
“Cork have the players to punish any lack of concentration so we will have to be on alert for the entire game.
“There are so many positives to take from (Cobh). The team played really well both defensively and in attack. We created a lot of chances and had some great passages of play.
“I had three Cork City players in the Ireland squad and Alan is my assistant, but to be honest we didn’t even think about this game. The players just came in and we all simply concentrated on the job at hand.”
Stephen O’Donnell is Bohs’ only major injury concern, having received a knock in training which forced him to withdraw from the Lurgan match.
Meanwhile, a win at Dalymount would see Cork close to within two points of their Dublin rivals.
Said the Leesiders’ manager Mathews: “Bohs have made a very good start to the season and they are among the teams chasing Pat’s, so Sunday’s game will be a difficult task for us.
“We had a good result against Sligo Rovers at Turner’s Cross last week and we need to pick up where we left off in that game.”
Former Bohs player-manager Gareth Farrelly is out for the foreseeable future as he recovers from an operation, while Danny Murphy returns to the squad having sat out the game against Sligo Rovers through suspension.
“I know Pat well and I know that Bohs have some excellent players.
“Dalymount Park is a great venue and it is a game that we are very much looking forward to,” said Mathews.
Meanwhile, the FAI yesterday announced that two unnamed referees had been stood down from refereeing at eircom League of Ireland level for a total of five series of matches.
The move follows reports from the Referee Observers who attended their games last weekend, a statement revealed, and they will now be subject to the existing process which supports officials whose performances do not meet the “required standards”.
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