City boss Dunne keeping one eye on Derry clash

CORK City FC are back in EA Sports Cup action tonight when they host Munster rivals Limerick in the second round at Turner’s Cross (ko 7.45).

Manager Tommy Dunne hopes to have a full squad to choose from, with Cillian Lordan, who picked up a minor injury in the league win against Wexford Youths expected to be available and former Blackburn Rovers man Gearóid Morrissey in the running to make his debut for City.

“Cillian Lordan got a bit of a bang on the calf, but we’re hopeful he’ll be okay,” says Dunne.

“It was more of a knock rather than pulling anything and he’s our only injury worry at the moment – the rest are okay. Gearóid will be in the frame so hopefully we’ll have a full squad to pick from.”

While Dunne isn’t downplaying the significance of the competition, he admits that, when it comes to selecting his team, he will have one eye on the cup clash and another on the big home game against First Division leaders Derry City at the end of the week.

Says Dunne: “Tonight will be a tough game but we will have to give a few lads that haven’t been playing a run out. We’d like to progress in the competition itself but we’ve got a big game on Friday which makes things difficult. We’ve got to be careful that we don’t burn anybody out or pick up any injuries.

“We’ve done quite well on the road but we can improve our home form. We’ll keep trying our best and keep trying to progress further. Apart from that, if we can keep improving in the summer months and get to the summer break within touching distance... I think that’s our aim now.”

In tonight’s other EA Sports Cup second round games, Monaghan United host league champions Bohemians (8pm), Sligo Rovers are at home to Letterkenny Rovers (7.45pm) and Waterford United welcome Tralee Dynamos to the RSC (7.45pm). If required, all games will go to extra time and penalties.