30 August 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
In soccer news, Cork City return to Turner’s Cross for the first time in four weeks as they welcome Sligo Rovers on this evening. It will be the first outing for Neale Fenn, who was announced as Head Coach earlier in the week.
The Rebel Army come into the game after a disappointing 1-0 defeat by Galway United in Eamonn Deacy Park last week, which saw City crash out of the FAI Cup in the second round. The visitors come to the Cross on the back of an impressive 6-2 victory over Limerick having trailed 2-0 early on in the tie.
This will be the fourth and final meeting of the sides this season, with City edging it in the three encounters so far. Their 2-1 win at the Showgrounds in February has been followed by two draws; 0-0 at Turner’s Cross in April and 1-1 in Sligo in June.
Speaking at a press conference at the Cork International Hotel, Fenn looked ahead to his return to Turner’s Cross for his first game in charge on Friday: “It’s very important (to get off to a winning start) just from a morale point of view, and for the crowd. It’s a big game for us. It’s a chance for the boys now to play their way into the team and try to stay there until the end of the season and I’m sure they’ll be up for it; I’m really looking forward to it. I’m expecting a tough game. Liam Buckley’s teams always try and play, they’ve got some good players and they scored 6 in the cup last week. It’s going to be tough but that’s what I’m here for.”
“For Friday’s game, I’m not going to go in there and make huge changes because there just isn’t enough time, we just need to get a bit of a tune out of some of the players that have been underperforming, and get them playing and enjoying themselves and get them a bit of confidence.”
Conor McCarthy is ruled out through suspension, while on the injury front, City are still without Cian Murphy and Cian Bargary.
Referee: Robert Harvey
Injury News: Cian Murphy, Cian Bargary
Suspensions: Conor McCarthy
Last game: Galway United 1-0 City
Last meeting: Sligo Rovers 1-1 City
League Form (League, most recent game first): W L D D D