Shamrock Rovers v Cork City: Match Preview

SHAMROCK ROVERS

Shamrock Rovers will take on Cork City in an all premier league tie in the last 16 of the FAI Cup at the Tallaght Stadium on Friday night (kick off 7.05.p.m).

Rovers will come into the match having won four of their last five league and cup games.

Graham Gartland (back) and Stephen O'Donnell (hamstring) will both miss the match through injuy, while Ken Oman will not play because of suspension.  Aaron Greene has returned to full training and will be in contention to start the game.

Hoops manager Stephen Kenny is keen for his side to keep their unbeaten run going "We are keen to continue our unbeaten run and the fact that there is a quarter final place in the FAI Cup is another great incentive to win this game. We have done well recently, we've being keeping cleaning sheets and have scored good goals, and we need to keep that going.”

CORK CITY

Cork City returned to winning ways on Monday night with a 3-2 victory over Drogheda United in the league. However they will be without a number of players for various reasons for the trip to Tallaght.

John Dunleavy and Eoghan Murphy will both miss out with ankle injuries. Colin Healy (thigh strain) and Cathal Lordan (knee) and are also ruled out for City. Keith Quinn, Brian Lenihan and Graham McCarthy are all cup-tied, having featured in earlier rounds for their previous clubs. There are also doubts over Garry Buckley (foot) Neal Horgan (knee) and Gearóid Morrissey (ankle).

Despite missing a number of key players Cork City manager Tommy Dunne is looking forward to the game

“This is another great game for us, after a fantastic game against Drogheda on Monday, so we are going into this game looking for another big performance from the players. It is a tough ask for part-time players to play Monday and Friday, but we are looking forward to the game and I hope that we give a good account of ourselves and hopefully book a place in the next round.”

Referee: Padraig Sutton.

MATCH STATS

Recent Shamrock Rovers signing Shane O'Connor is a Republic of Ireland Youth and under-21 international and was at Liverpool from 2006 to 2009.

Shamrock Rovers defender Graham Gartland has three FAI Cup winners medals. He won the trophy twice with Longford Town and once with Drogheda United.

Dan Murray made 212 appearances for Cork City before signing for Shamrock Rovers, where he won two league titles. Murray returned to Leeside before the beginning of the 2012 season.

BETTING

Shamrock Rovers 4/7, Draw 11/4, Cork City 9/2.

PREDICTION

Shamrock Rovers 2-0 Cork City.

  

Home Injury News: Graham Gartland (back) and Stephen O'Donnell (hamstring)

Home Suspension News: Ken Oman.

Away Injury News: John Dunleavy (ankle), Eoghan Murphy (ankle), Colin Healy (thigh strain) and Cathal Lordan (knee) . 

Away Suspension News: None.

© Seamus Egan 2012.