Clouds on Cork City horizon but Bradley wary of O'Sullivan threat

Shamrock Rovers entertain Cork City on Monday to complete the first quarter of the League of Ireland campaign.

Cork City's Cathal O'Sullivan with Sean Hoare of St. Patrick's Athletic. Pic: Ben Brady, Inpho

Even though Cork City’s last Premier Division season ended in relegation, they statistically matched champions Shamrock Rovers in the head-to-head battle.

A win apiece and two draws over their four meetings was one of more memorable feats of that 2023 campaign for City and how they do against the Hoops again could be crucial to their survival prospects.

Avoiding the drop is the objective for all newly-promoted teams, despite both Galway United and Waterford achieving safety with plenty to spare last year. City’s form requires an immediate uptick if they’re to dodge another scrap.

This rearranged fixture – which fell victim to a waterlogged Tallaght Stadium pitch in February – will complete the first quarter of the season.

So far the Rebels have won just once, on February 28 against Bohemians. Three draws and three defeats have followed and the outlook has been clouded by a string of injuries.

Tim Clancy got used to missing striker Ruairí Keating for the season in Friday’s 2-0 defeat to St Patrick’s Athletic and fans won’t be seeing Seáni Maguire or Malik Dijksteel for another two weeks at least as they recover from significant setbacks.

Neither captain Greg Bolger nor Harry Nevin are expected to be fit in time for Tallaght but Evan McLoughlin should start after his first cameo of the campaign as a substitute on Friday.

Defeat to the Saints marked the beginning of a five-match blitz over 15 days, with another trip to Dublin for a meeting with Bohemians looming on Friday and fellow strugglers Waterford coming to Turner’s Cross for the Easter Monday Munster derby.

In contrast to City, Rovers have their casualties returning. Aaron McEneff put his injury woes behind him to open the scoring in Friday’s 2-0 win over Waterford and Danny Mandroiu is available.

Two key components of their team are former City players Matt Healy and Josh Honohan, the latter attracting interest from UK clubs.

“Cork City have a very young squad, and in Cathal O’Sullivan, have a promising and talented player,” said Rovers boss Stephen Bradley.

“They gave St Pat's a really good game and I’m sure felt they could’ve gone ahead but then Chris Forrester scored a great goal from nothing. You watch that performance and know Cork were very good.” 

- Shamrock Rovers v Cork City, Tallaght Stadium, Monday 8pm (Live LOITV).