Pole position up for grabs as Turner’s Cross set for cracker

The last time Cork City and Dundalk did battle, the league title was on the line on the final night of the 2014 season, with the Lilywhites crowned champions after a 2-0 win which will live long in the memory at Oriel Park.

Nothing quite so definitive is at stake this evening at Turner’s Cross but, even though we’re only nine games into the new season, the magnitude of the contest cannot be underplayed. The immediate goal is conquest of the summit of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division: a win or a draw will see Dundalk extend or retain their advantage; a win for Cork City will see the Rebels leapfrog their rivals to go top.

Beyond that, the game should also tell us a lot about how the months ahead might unfold and, come the conclusion of the long campaign, there’s every chance that this clash will be regarded as a significant milestone along the way.

Certainly, there’s much to savour even before a ball is kicked, with second hosting first and two unbeaten records on the line. Then there’s the presence on the pitch of some of the best players in the domestic game, including Cork’s international pairing of Liam Miller and Colin Healy and, returning to his former club, Dundalk’s livewire Daryl Horgan as well as the man of the moment, Richie Towell, who comes into the match on the back of a hat-trick against Galway United.

Add in the presence of the live RTE 2 cameras and another expected bumper attendance at the ground with comfortably the best atmosphere in the league, and all the ingredients seem to be in place for a top of the table cracker.

So, no pressure than, as the rival managers prepare to send their respective teams across the white line for an earlier than usual kick-off of 7.35pm.

“Most people think Dundalk will win the league this year, but it is up to us to see where we are at,” says City boss John Caulfield. “Last year we were fantastic and the lads did brilliantly.

“This year we have a new team and a different style of play; we have been a lot better, both defensively and attacking-wise.

“Tonight is going to be a fantastic challenge for us. I’m sure the crowd will be in early and I’m hoping that, right from the start, we can give them a performance that will keep them roaring from the rafters.”

A measure of the test in store for the home side is that Dundalk go into the game on a club record 19-match unbeaten run but, equally, the visitors know that City have a 100% home record.

Manager Stephen Kenny, who has just signed a new contract which will keep him at Oriel Park until the end of the 2016 season, acknowledged that threat: “It’s a big test for us. It’s going to be a sell-out which is great for Irish football.

John Caulfield is the manager with the bigger injury concerns, Karl Sheppard, John O’Flynn and John Dunleavy all facing late fitness tests.

Tonight’s other SSE Aitricity League Premier Division games:

Derry City v Bohemians, The Brandywell; Drogheda United v Longford Town, United Park; and St. Patrick’s Athletic v Sligo Rovers, Richmond Park.

First Division:

Athlone Town v Waterford United, Athlone Town Stadium; UCD v Cobh Ramblers, The UCD Bowl; Finn Harps v Shelbourne, Finn Park (8pm); and Wexford Youths v Cabinteely, Ferrycarrig Park (8pm).

Meanwhile, in the FAI Cup First Round, St. Mary’s host Avondale United at St. Mary’s Park (7.30pm).

Games kick off at 7.45pm unless otherwise indicated.