Win crucial for Cork

Cork City will be hoping to use their game in hand to cut Dundalk’s lead at the top to three points when they travel to Thomond Park tomorrow to face Limerick in a Premier Division Munster derby.

“Every game now is huge,” says City boss John Caulfield. “We will have a big crowd following us and it is crucial that we stay on the heels of Dundalk. What we are trying to do, firstly, is to qualify for Europe, and secondly, see can we keep the pressure on Dundalk and maybe take it to the last game of the season. If we don’t get results over the next few weeks, we won’t do that.”

Cork will be without Garry Buckley and Darren Dennehy, who are both suspended for the game, while striker John O’Flynn is rated 50/50 with a knock. Gavin Kavanagh also picked up a knock in training, but is expected to be available, while Rob Lehane has returned after an ankle injury.

For Limerick, winger Ian Turner is unavailable due to the terms of his loan from Cork, while another ex-City man, captain Shane Duggan, is suspended along with fellow midfielder Jason Hughes.

“We’re looking forward to a big game against Cork,” says manager Martin Russell.

“Cork are going well but we’ll be going into the game trying to get a win for ourselves and trying to stop them winning the league. It’s a big game and I think it grabs the attention.”

Kick off at Thomond Park tomorrow is at 5.30pm.

Meanwhile, today sees Sligo Rovers, under the caretaker management of Gavin Dykes following the departure of John Coleman, at home to Drogheda United in the SSE Airtricity Premier Division. Kick off in the Showgrounds is at 7.45pm.

And in the First Division, Galway FC host Finn Harps at Eamonn Deacy Park (7.45pm) while Longford Town welcome Cobh Ramblers to the City Calling Stadium (7.30pm).