Cork City and Treaty United on opposite ends of First Division and form table

"I think if you sit back and you know what Tommy is working with down there as in budget wise, the restrictions and the limitations that he has, the start he had was brilliant but it wouldn’t be right to criticise where they are in the league now," said Cork City manager Tim Clancy.

Fri, 24 May, 2024 - 07:56

Andrew Horgan

Cork City’s meeting Treaty United will see two Munster rivals at the opposite end of the First Division table, and the form table, face off at Turner’s Cross.

City’s previous derby with Treaty back in March was a top-of-the-table clash as both teams had made an unbeaten start to the new season.

There was just three points between the two clubs as well with City leading the way, albeit they had played a match more.

And by the time the full-time whistle was blown at Market’s Field, that gap remained the same as ten-man Treaty battled to well-earned scoreless draw.

But little did they know at the time, of course, but that would be the second game without a win for United in a run that now stands at 13, which has seen them drop to 8th in the league standings.

As for City, they still remain unbeaten but they have begun to turn some of their away draws into away wins to push them 10 points clear at the summit.

“They made a brilliant start to the season. We went down there then and got a draw, I think it was the fourth or fifth game in. Since then we have gone on a good run,” said City manager Tim Clancy.

Tim Clancy: Cork City aren't getting the credit we deserve

“Tommy is probably disappointed with the games that he’s gone without winning but that run is going to come to an end eventually so we have got to make sure it doesn’t happen on Friday.

“The game back in March we were missing 13 players for it so I thought we did very well considering the players we had out and the start Treaty had.

“We are in a different place now. We are confident, there’s plenty of goals in the team so we want to try and add to it.

“Tommy will probably want to have more points on the board but I think if you sit back and you know what Tommy is working with down there as in budget wise, the restrictions and the limitations that he has, the start he had was brilliant but it wouldn’t be right to criticise where they are in the league now.

“The job that Tommy is doing is unbelievable and he has done that for a number of years now. It’s a credit to him that people were talking like that because of the excellent start that they did have.”

On the injury front City have no fresh knocks to report although John O’Donovan will remain on the sidelines for a few more weeks with a back issue while Matthew Kiernan and Malik Dijksteel are edging closer to a return.

In better news attacking midfielder Jack Doherty is fit and available again for selection.