[Diomed]

Tonights preview


Preview: Cork City v St. Patrick's Athletic

Cork City will be looking to put the disappointment of Monday's Setanta Sports Cup semi-final defeat behind them on Thursday as they host fellow semi-final losers Saint Patrick's Athletic in the Premier Division of the eircom League of Ireland. The Saints are still top of the pile with Cork in third and Thursday's televised game could already have a huge bearing on the season's outcome.

Cork boss Damien Richardson described the game as their "most important of the season" following Monday night's defeat and with the Dublin club already holding a nine point lead on his side, you can understand his reasoning. The Saints go into the game having collected twenty-two points from a possible twenty-four with only Bohemians managing to take any points off them in league action.

Cork are unbeaten in seven league games following their shock opening night defeat to Waterford. However, they have drawn their last three in the league and four in total. While a 2-2 draw away to Drogheda was a passable result, draws with Bray and Shamrock Rovers proved a point that was emphasised on Monday night - Cork can at times struggle to find the net.

Despite dominating almost the entire game in Belfast on Monday, Cork couldn't make the breakthrough against Linfield and lost to a late goal.

Alongside Bohs, the Saints have the best defensive record in the division having conceded just three goals to date. If you factor in the Setanta Cup, Pats have conceded just seven goals (including one in extra-time) in fifteen games. City's record has seen them concede eleven in the same number of games.

On that note, Cork will welcome back top scorer Roy O'Donovan after he missed the game in Belfast through suspension. Potential striker partner John O'Flynn is a doubt after he was substituted early in the second half on Monday as a precaution over his thigh. He is rated as a "slight doubt". Sean Kelly and Colm Carroll remain out injured.

Speaking ahead of the game Cork boss Damien Richardson said, "It is a game we are eagerly looking forward to. After the disappointment of Monday night's defeat to Linfield, it will require a performance of great character. It will be a great challenge against the league leaders, a very in form team, but the game cannot come quick enough for us."

Saint Patrick's Athletic should have an almost full strength squad for the game with only Michael Foley set to miss out with an injury picked up in extra-time against Drogheda.

At the weekend St. Pats ran out 2-1 winners against Shamrock Rovers and although they had looked comfortable at times, they almost wobbled near the end after a late Rovers goal.

The Dublin side have already beaten Cork City twice in 2007 when they met in the Setanta Cup. The Saints won 1-0 at Richmond Park at the beginning of April while they won 3-1 when they visited Turner's Cross in March. That 3-1 win was the third consecutive time the Saints visited Turner's Cross and avoided defeat - having drawn there in the league last year and beaten Cork in late 2005 at the same venue.

Cork City have also announced plans for entertainment surrounding the game with the Cork Fire Brigade and Togher Pipe Band providing music before the game and at half-time.

League form for Cork City : DDDWW
League form for St. Patricks Athletic : WWDWW

Previous meeting(s) : St. Patricks Athletic 1-0 Cork City (02/04/2007)
Cork City 1-3 St. Patricks Athletic (12/03/2007)
St. Patricks Athletic 0-1 Cork City (06/11/2006)
Cork City 0-0 St. Patricks Athletic (04/09/2006)
St. Patricks Athletic 2-0 Cork City (28/04/2006)
IrishFootballOnline.com Prediction: Draw.