Cork City seek double cause for celebration

Cork City will be hoping for more joy against Longford Town at senior level tonight after it was confirmed the club’s U19s are to become the first Irish side to compete in the UEFA Youth League.

In the Airtricity League Premier Division, City host bottom of the table Longford Town at Turner’s Cross (7.45pm, live on RTÉ 2) having beaten them 4-1 away in the FAI Cup last Saturday. But Cork boss John Caulfield is expecting the visitors to be a different proposition under new manager Alan Mathews, as the home side, currently in third place, look to close a four-point gap on leaders Dundalk.

“Knowing Alan, he’s an experienced manager and he builds from the back, so we expect them to be very solid defensively,” he said. “We expect they will come down to hit us on the counter, so I don’t think last Saturday’s game will have any relevance on Friday.