Galway United are the visitors to Turners Cross this Friday night, as Cork look to make it two wins in a row to start their Premier Division campaign.
Garry Buckley will miss the game due to suspension, after his red card in the 1-0 win over Finn Harps last week. Also doubtful for John Caulfield is John Kavanagh, Steven Beattie and Alan Bennett. Both Beattie and Bennett will be assessed before kick-off. Karl Sheppard looks the obvious replacement for Buckley.
City struggled on the opening night in Ballybofey, in what can only be described as atrocious conditions, but did Mage to come away with three very valuable points.
Speaking to the media ahead of Friday’s game John Caulfield said, “We had over three thousand at the President’s Cup so, for the first league game at home, on the back of last week’s win, we hope to have a big crowd. I think the crowd have taken to the team since the cup victory. It is an exciting team and, in the history of this club, there are periods where things are down and then there are periods when things are good and, at the moment, I think this is a good time.”
“For the supporters, I think this team is an exciting one which will score goals and a good one to watch. I think teams will come down here to try and catch us on the break, so we need our supporters to get behind us and make as much noise as possible.”
“Galway have lots of attacking options and we are well aware of the threat they pose. Against Drogheda last week, they should probably have been three or four up at half time but the game changed when they went a goal behind. They would have been disappointed with the result, but I think Shane will have been happy with their performance for a lot of the game.”
“Our lads were brilliant last week. There are days when you have to dig in, battle and play to the conditions, and that is where intelligent players and good players understand that you have to pull out a performance and a result.”
“Obviously, this week we will be at home, so it will be different kind of game on an excellent pitch, but we will not take anyone for granted.”
As for Galway United, manager Shane Keegan hinted at some changes following last week’s disappointing 1-0 defeat at home to newly promoted Drogheda United.