THE TV people are in Turner’s Cross this evening for the clash between third-placed Cork and third-from-bottom Dundalk (live on Setanta) and while there’s 13 points separating the two sides in the Premier Division table, very recent form provides some cause for optimism for the visitors.
Sean Connor’s side have won their last two games and travel in the hope of making it three in a row for the first time this year.
The Dundalk boss says his side have benefited from a little overdue luck. “We’ve had a bit of the rub of the green in the last couple of games, gotten early goals and defended them fairly well.
“Even when we were losing I thought we were playing quite well so we’re going to Cork just looking to keep it up really, although obviously Cork are a good team and it’s going to be a very tough game.”
City’s form has dipped somewhat in recent weeks and Paul Doolin points to the fact his side is suddenly conceding goals, although in 16 games to date they have let in just less than half as many as tonight’s visitors.
The home side have also had their problems with injuries of late and Robert Mezeckis, Davin O’Neill, Joe Gamble and Billy Dennehy are all likely to miss out again, while Dundalk’s Seán Kelly is sidelined by a dead leg.
Sligo head to Dalymount Park having had to work a good deal harder than their hosts to make the fourth round of the cup. Jason Noctor and Richie Ryan are both suspended, while Stephen Parkhouse and Gavin Peers are still injured. Graham Carey serves a one-match ban for champions Bohemians although the most notable piece of team news ahead of the game is the return from suspension of Jason McGuinness.
“They are a good team, with good players,” says Pat Fenlon of the visitors. “We have never had an easy match against them in my time with Bohs.” His side still managed to take nine points from them last season, though, and after dropping two at the Showgrounds back in April, he’ll be keen to see a home win tonight.
In the night’s two other top- flight games, Derry have Tam McManus and Peter Hutton back for the visit of Bray but Thomas Stewart, Barry Molloy and Liam Kearney are all still out. Wanderers will be without Chris Deans (suspended) but Paddy Kavanagh returns after a few weeks out.
St Pat’s Athletic, meanwhile, will look to build on their recent improvement when they take on Drogheda. Jeff Kenna still has a long list of absentees to cope with, but Jamie Harris, Jason Gavin and Gareth O’Connor should all be back, while Drogheda hope to have Shane Barrett, Alan McNally and Robbie Martin available again.
