Cork City V Dundalk | Fri 18 Oct | 7.45pm | Turner's Cross | Matchday 35

[Ezeikial]

Probably the least anticipated match between former title rivals for many years

Cork are now safe from the relegation threat while we have little to play for other than some individual cup final places.

As he obviously sees a particular value in it, VP may be tempted to try the tactical experiment of 3 at the back again. Normal service likely to be resumed at centre forward or will Georgie get another chance?

[Peak11]

Hoare, Cleary, Massey, Gannon (sort of), Shields, McGrath, Duffy (sort of) and Hoban have all had a match off since the semi-final. I'd kind of expect the 14 players likely to be involved in the cup final play the next two League games now, given that there are full week breaks between matches.

I have a feeling McEleney will be lucky to make the bench in time for the final. Hoare might slip behind Boyle and Cleary for his errors last night, as well as the mess he made that let Rovers back into it in Oriel. I don't think Georgie will start again now either. Mountney, Flores, Jarvis and Gartland are unlikely to feature again, unless Garts plays against Pats so he can lift the trophy.

I think we'll be more or less full strength and back to 4-2-3-1 against Cork.

Rogers
Gannon-Cleary-Boyle-Massey or Dummigan
Shields-Benson or Murray
Kelly-McGrath-Duffy
Hoban

[shedboy4life]

Strange to think that when the fixtures were released that this fixture was probably seen as the title decider.

[Ezeikial]

Strange to think that when the fixtures were released that this fixture was probably seen as the title decider.

I'm not sure many saw it that way.

Cork have been in decline for a while, but it accelerated over the back end of last season. To keep pace they needed to make some serious additions to their squad pre-season, but instead they lost their better players as budget cuts kicked in.

No one could have predicted the rate of decline but they were never likely to be credible title challengers this season

[Tigger1]

Long time lads, but sincere congratulations on winning the league again. Best team by far again. I suppose there won't be many travelling down, but to those that are, safe journey down and back. As for the game itself there's no doubting who is the better team, but ye might rest a few and we might play out of our skins.

[Martin Lawlor80]

Long time lads, but sincere congratulations on winning the league again. Best team by far again. I suppose there won't be many travelling down, but to those that are, safe journey down and back. As for the game itself there's no doubting who is the better team, but ye might rest a few and we might play out of our skins.

How’s our good friend Mr Fenn going down Leeside?

[Ezeikial]

Team news

John Mountney and Patrick McEleney return to the squad following their foot and hamstring injuries as does Patrick Hoban who comes back into contention following his suspension which means Vinny Perth has a full squad to choose from.

https://www.dundalkfc.com/team-news-vs-cork-city-15/

[Tigger1]

Long time lads, but sincere congratulations on winning the league again. Best team by far again. I suppose there won't be many travelling down, but to those that are, safe journey down and back. As for the game itself there's no doubting who is the better team, but ye might rest a few and we might play out of our skins.

How’s our good friend Mr Fenn going down Leeside?

Flying.

[Ezeikial]

RTE Sport match preview

Cork City v Dundalk, Turner's Cross, 7:45pm

This fixture was earmarked at the start of the season as a potential blockbuster and could even decide the title race. While Dundalk kept their part of the bargain, the same can't be said for City who will be glad to bring their home campaign to the end.

The Lilywhites are a remarkable 49 points clear of their old rivals. Neale Fenn finally picked up his first win as City boss last week against UCD. Dundalk will be keen to respond to the end of their long unbeaten run away to Bohemians last week.

Team news

Cork City: City are boosted by the return of Ronan Hurley, Kevin O'Connor and Garry Buckley. Conor McCarthy picked up a quad injury in training on Wednesday and is a doubt.

Dundalk: John Mountney and Patrick McEleney return to the squad following their foot and hamstring injuries as does Patrick Hoban who comes back into contention following his suspension which means Vinny Perth has a full squad to choose from.

What they say

Neale Fenn (Cork City manager): "I sensed a little bit of a bounce this week in training, it's been really bright. It looks like a bit of a weight has been taken off the lads with the win (against UCD). There's a really good feeling around the squad this week.

"We're going into the game on Friday, it'll be difficult. Dundalk have the strongest squad, it'll be very difficult. The two teams were rivals up until this season, so they won't want to come here and be beaten."

https://www.rte.ie/sport/soccer/2019/10 ... pean-spot/

[Ezeikial]

McCarey
Gannon | Hoare | Boyle | Massey
Shields | Benson
D. Kelly | Murray | Duffy
Hoban (capt)

Substitutes: Rogers (GK), Gartland, McGrath, G. Kelly, Dummigan, Lotefa, Jarvis.

[condor]

Anyone got a link?

[Ezeikial]

Anyone got a link?

https://skorlive.com/soccer

[Ezeikial]

Cork 1-0 Dundalk

Daire O'Connor

[Peak11]

Shite half of ball. Good pass played in O’Connor, finished well. I suppose when teams play so deep against us we don’t get to see goals like that, but it looked so easy compared to how difficult we make things look sometimes.

Obviously nothing on the line but two defeats in a row not exactly a good prep for the two cup finals ahead

[Ezeikial]

Finishes 1-0 worrying run of form