‘A tall order’ but John Caulfield believes Cork City can close gap
City gained the psychological advantage on the eve of the new league season by finally putting one over on their rivals in the President’s Cup but, since then, Dundalk haven’t put a foot wrong when it counts, claiming nine from nine in the league, while Cork’s defeat away to Derry leaves them trailing the front-runners by three points.
But the visitors are entitled to go into tonight’s game with renewed confidence on the back of a 6-0 thrashing of Longford Town at Turner’s Cross last Monday, a victory achieved without midfielder Greg Bolger who returns from suspension for the meeting with Dundalk, although Gavan Holohan and Stephen Dooley are both doubtful with knocks. Tonight’s match will also see Cork’s new striker Sean Maguire make a first return to his former club.
“They are the team to beat,” says Cork boss John Caulfield of the side that is going for three titles in a row. “We have pushed them very close for two seasons and we are trying to see can we do that little bit extra. It’s a tall order but we have beaten them already this season and we drew up there last season, so we have been very close.
“It is about us making sure we go out there with a proper game plan, that we have the attitude we had the other night and that we target the areas that will cause them trouble. I have said since the start of pre-season that I felt the new players coming in have given us a lot more options and we are more dynamic.
“Obviously, when you bring in so many new players, it takes a little bit of time, but the indications are that we are creating a lot of chances and we are scoring goals.”
And looking again to tonight’s eagerly awaited game at Oriel, Caulfield adds: “Dundalk have nine points out of nine, we have six out of nine. It is a tall ask and a big challenge to us but, at the same time, we have potential in our team, we have goals in our team.”With captain Stephen O’Donnell available for selection once again having sat out Monday’s narrow victory over Wexford Youths due to illness, Stephen Kenny’s side will be at full strength.
“We had a good win on Monday in Wexford,” says new Lilywhites signing Patrick McEleneny. “It was a difficult game in tough conditions but we got through it. Getting the late goal was fantastic - sometimes you have to win like that and we are pleased with any win that we can get.”
Tonight’s other big top-flight fixture is a Dublin derby in Tallaght as Shamrock Rovers, joint frontrunners with Dundalk, look to maintain their perfect start at home to St Patrick’s Athletic (8pm), while elsewhere, Derry City host unbeaten Galway United and Bohemians welcome Wexford Youths to Dalymount Park.
In the First Division, meanwhile, Drogheda United are at home to Athlone Town, Shelbourne host Cabinteely and UCD welcome Waterford United. Tonight’s Airtricity League games kick off at 7.45 unless indicated otherwise.
Finally, the Premier Division fixture between Cork City and Shamrock Rovers scheduled for Saturday, March 26 at Turner’s Cross has been postponed due to call-ups for City players Sean Maguire and Kevin O’Connor to the Republic of Ireland U21 international squad.
A new date for the fixture will be announced in due course.
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