30 September 2018, Sunday
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork City make the trip to Dalymount Park on Sunday, as they face Bohemians in the FAI Cup semi-final.
City, the cup winners in each of the last two seasons, booked their semi-final place with a 7-0 win away to Longford Town in the quarter finals, while the home side advanced thanks to a 3-1 win over Derry City at the Brandywell.
John Caulfield’s side come into the game on the back of two defeats in the league since that win over Longford; away to Bohemians (4-2) and at home to Dundalk (1-0). In contrast, the home side are the form team at the moment, having recorded nine consecutive wins in all competitions. Their last two fixtures have seen them record two 3-1 wins, away to Derry in the FAI Cup and then away to St. Pat’s in the league.
The sides have met four times in the league this season, with City enjoying a 100% record until Bohs’ triumph at Dalymount Park a couple of weeks ago. At Dalymount Park, the sides have a win apiece; 2-0 for City in April and 4-2 for Bohs earlier this month.
Speaking at the club’s weekly press conference ahead of the game, assistant manager John Cotter said: “Karl Sheppard missed last week, Garry Buckley came off, Alan Bennett has come back in and hopefully the game isn’t coming too soon for him. A lot will depend on how those boys react over the next couple of days, but it is a cup semi-final at the end of the day. It is a huge game, a great occasion and a chance to get to the Aviva again. We know that any players we have put out have done the job in the cup; up in Longford, we were outstanding.”
“Bohs are flying at the moment, they are the form team in the league. We know we weren’t good enough up there a few weeks ago, no-one needs to tell us that; we know that ourselves and the players know that. We will go up Sunday and hope to win the match.”
“The mood has been good, and we are looking forward to the game, and hoping to get another trip to the Aviva. We won’t look past Sunday though, because Bohs deserve a lot of respect for what they have done over the last couple of months and the last couple of years. Keith Long has done an incredible job, so we are under no illusions that it will be a tough game.”
Colm Horgan, Johnny Dunleavy and Shane Daly-Bütz are ruled out through injury, while Alan Bennett, Garry Buckley and Karl Sheppard will all be assessed ahead of kick-off, in the hope that they will be available.
Referee: Robert Rogers
Injury News: Colm Horgan, Johnny Dunleavy, Shane Daly-Bütz, Alan Bennett, Garry Buckley, Karl Sheppard
Suspensions: None.
Last game: Cork City 0-1 Dundalk
