29 September 2017
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
A place in the FAI Cup final is up for grabs, as Cork City and Limerick meet at Turner’s Cross at 7.15pm tonight.
The sides last met just a week ago, as Limerick ran out 2-1 winners at Markets Field, thanks to two goals in the first ten minutes. Previous to that, City had won the three meetings between the sides this season, two in the league and once in the EA Sports Cup.
Since then, City have been in action again, drawing 1-1 against Dundalk at a sold-out Turner’s Cross on Monday night. In the quarter final round, City booked their place in the last four with a 4-1 win away to Longford Town, while Limerick recorded a 2-1 win away to Galway United.
Speaking ahead of the game, City boss John Caulfield said: “The performance on Monday night was the kind of performance that we have given for most of the season. That is our level and we can do that, so for the remainder of the season we need to keep it up and kick on. Some of the lads might have lost a little bit of form but Monday night proved that we are back on track and that is what we needed.”
“The games are so big now; the adrenaline will be there and every player will want to play. This is an opportunity to get to a cup final; we have been in the last two and we are the holders, so we want to get to the Aviva again. We are at home, with our supporters behind us, and we are determined to get back to the Aviva.”
“Last Friday night will have no bearing on this game. It is a cup game, a one-off with a trip to the Aviva for the winners. We know the team they will play and we know what they are about. If we concede and let them play on the counter-attack, we will be in trouble. We need to play like we did on Monday, with our intensity and trying to get ahead. I think Monday will give us confidence, as will being at home; it’s a semi-final, it’s the cup we won last year and it is a chance to go to the Aviva.”
City continue to be without long-term absentees Johnny Dunleavy and Alec Byrne, while there are concerns about Steven Beattie, Kieran Sadlier, Alan Bennett and Stephen Dooley, all of whom will be assessed ahead of the game.
Injury News: Johnny Dunleavy, Alec Byrne, Steven Beattie, Kieran Sadlier, Alan Bennett, Stephen Dooley
Suspensions: None
