City can’t afford any slips

Manager John Caulfield describes this evening’s trip to Athlone as Cork City’s "biggest game of the season" and, no doubt, he’ll have much the same to say about the side’s seven remaining league games after tonight.

He’s right too, in that the SSE Airtricity League title run-in — which, barring a collapse by either side, is looking like a two-horse race between second-placed City and leaders Dundalk — now becomes, in effect, a series of mini cup finals, each game capable of delivering a knockout blow either way.

But, to make things even more interesting, the same high-stakes dynamic applies to Athlone Town who, anchored to the foot of the table, will be scrapping for every single point in their battle for survival.

“We have worked very hard to get to second in the table, we are right in there and we know how big this game is,” says Caulfield. “It is the biggest game of the season for us. Every game is big, but we are now at a stage in the season where the run-in is on. We can’t afford to not perform.”

The injured Michael McSweeney joins Rob Lehane and Michael Rafter on the sidelines for Cork, but while John O’Flynn is a doubt and will be assessed closer to kick-off, Ross Gaynor returns having been cup-tied for the games against Bohs.

For Athlone, manager Keith Long returns to the bench after sitting out the last two games due to suspension, but will have to select his squad without the services of the suspended Eric Foley and the injured Aidan Collins, Stephen Quigley and Graham Rusk. Better news for Athlone is they can welcome back Alan Byrne and Philly Gorman from suspension.

Meanwhile, Cork City will be hoping that their bogey side this season, Bohemians, will contrive to do them a favour this evening when the Gypsies take on leaders Dundalk at Oriel Park, with Lilywhites boss Stephen Kenny under no illusions about the ability of Owen Heary’s team to cause a shock.

“Bohemians are a side who are in terrific form of late,” he says. “They are a good side and they will give us a difficult match. But, from our point of view, we are in exceptional form. The players are confident and are on a real high. We’ve prepared well this week and we’re ready for the match.”

Yet, despite being without a number of key players through injury and suspension, Owen Heary is hoping Bohs can follow up cup success against Cork City with a winning performance against the league leaders.

“I’d love to play them with a full-strength team but I still feel confident enough to go up and get a result,” he says. “We want to go and win the game. There’s nothing expected of us going to Dundalk but we’re definitely going to take the game to them.”

Tonight’s other SSE Airtricity League Premier Division games are Bray Wanderers v UCD, Derry City v St Pats, Limerick v Drogheda and Shamrock Rovers v Sligo Rovers (8pm). Meanwhile in the First Division, it’s Galway United v Waterford United, Finn Harps v Shamrock Rovers B (8pm) and Shelbourne v Longford Town (8pm).

Games kick off at 7.45pm, unless otherwise indicated.