6 August 2017, Sunday
By Bryan T. Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
A place in the EA Sports Cup final is at stake, as Cork City and Shamrock Rovers meet at Tallaght Stadium on Monday.
City go into the game on the back of a 1-0 win away to Drogheda United on Friday night, while Rovers suffered a 2-0 home reverse at the hands of Derry City.
John Caulfield’s side booked their place in the semi-finals thanks to wins away to Limerick (3-0) and at home to St. Pats (2-0), while Rovers have enjoyed home wins over Bohemians (3-1) and Longford Town (1-0).
Speaking to the media ahead of the game, City boss John Caulfield said: “Obviously, we are going to make a number of changes. It is an intense period for us coming off the back of three games in a week and we are going to rotate the squad. The EA Sports Cup is the third national competition and we have always used it to give players game time, which we did in the earlier rounds against Limerick and St. Pat’s and the lads have done great.”
“The lads have been pushing themselves all year; no matter who has gone out on the pitch, with injuries and suspensions, they have all done well. No matter who goes out on the pitch, we are going out to win and everyone is going to give their best. We know it will be a difficult game; Rovers are at home and will see this as an opportunity for them but, at the same time, we have done our work, we know what they are good at and we feel there are areas we can cause them problems.”
Caulfield also gave an update on the injury front, saying: “Conor McCormack is suspended, while Kieran Sadlier will miss out as he is cup tied. We have a few knocks as well; Alan Bennett, Robbie Williams, Steven Beattie and Gearóid Morrissey are all concerns, but we have bodies to come back in as well, like Jimmy Keohane, Greg Bolger, Conor McCarthy, Ryan Delaney, Achille Campion and Sean McLoughlin who could all come in.”
Injury News: Johnny Dunleavy, Alan Bennett, Robbie Williams, Steven Beattie and Gearóid Morrissey
Cup-tied: Kieran Sadlier
Suspensions: Conor McCormack (accumulating 8 yellow cards).
Last meeting: Cork City 4-1 Shamrock Rovers
Last league game: Drogheda United 0-1 Cork City
League Form (most recent game first): W L W W W W W
Referee: Neil Doyle.
Injury News: Johnny Dunleavy,
Suspensions: Conor McCormack (accumulating 8 yellow cards).
Last meeting: Cork City 4-1 Shamrock Rovers
Last league game: Drogheda United 0-1 Cork City
League Form (most recent game first): W L W W W W W
Referee: Neil Doyle.
