Blues v Cork City Preview

It’s all change since the Easter Monday derby game at Turner’s Cross. That was Matt Lawlor versus Tim Clancy. Friday’s match will be a first Munster derby for both John Coleman and Ger Nash. These derbies are usually tight and frenetic. 2-1 has been the result of each of the last four matches between the two clubs with two wins apiece. A statistic which really shows the intensity of this derby is that the last three games have all been comeback wins going back to the unforgettable playoff in Tallaght Stadium in November 2023. 

Rooted to the bottom of the table, Cork have been hit by some big departures recently too. Tein Troost was arguably the outstanding goalkeeper in the Premier Division this season, but he has returned to NAC Breda at the end of his loan. Striker Djenairo Daniels and midfielder Rio Shipston are gone and 16-year-old sensation David Dunne has joined AS Monaco. There’s also the uncertain status of Cathal O’Sullivan to consider. The 18-year-old tore Waterford apart in April, but has been left out of the team in recent games to protect him ahead of a lucrative move to England. It had been assumed he would join Crystal Palace once the summer came around, but, despite interest from Nottingham Forest too, no bids have been received and there is a possibility the wonderfully-talented youngster could stay at Turner’s Cross for the rest of the season.

 

An unforgettable night in Tallaght, 2023.

 

Club owner Dermot Usher has promised at least six signings in July with four already in – goalkeeper David Odumosu, defenders Rory Feely and Fiacre Kelleher plus young striker Charlie Lutz. A loan move for Derry forward Pat Hoban was rumoured, but he has signed a permanent deal with Glentoran today. Centre back Charlie Lyons is suspended while both Seanie Maguire and Sean Murray were taken off injured at half time last week and are doubts for the RSC. However, exciting 17-year-old attacker Matthew Murray scored City’s goal in the friendly against Celtic on Tuesday night and manager Ger Nash could be tempted to spring him into action tomorrow. At the other end of his career, 36-year-old Greg Bolger is still capable of controlling midfield if the Blues allow him. 

It seems a long time since Cork got off to a fantastic start on their return to the top flight. The defeat in Waterford (thanks to Kyle White’s late winner) was their only loss in their first six fixtures. There was a win against Bohemians and four score draws. Contrast that with their current form: winless in twelve and having earned just three points from their last ten games. They are down, but not out. Yet. 

This makes it a must-win game for the Leesiders, but allow me one more stat to show the scale of the task ahead of them – City have only picked up two points from a possible thirty-three on the road this season. Meanwhile, Waterford’s home form has been resurgent with three wins, two draws and a narrow loss to the runaway league leaders in the last six games at Kilbarry. After a chastening defeat in Derry, we can hope to see a reaction from Waterford as wounded animals. The only way to put that disaster behind them is to beat their rivals tomorrow and send City towards the drop for the second time in three seasons. 

 

New Waterford signing Finlay Armstrong.

 

Full back Finlay Armstrong became a Blue this week and could come straight into contention tomorrow. Places are certainly up for grabs after last week’s annihilation at the Brandywell. There were several new triallists in training this week, but it doesn’t appear as if any made the grade – certainly not for now. For various reasons, the Blues aren’t seeing any production from many of the higher earners at present with Kacper Radkowski and Matty Smith injured, Maarten Pouwels and Navajo Bakboord out of favour and even Andy Boyle having missed more games than he has played. The goalkeeper situation is also uncertain for now. Does Brad Wade retain his place after conceding seven (few his fault), does regular number one Stephen McMullan return or is Coleman looking for another option?

This weekend marks the two-thirds point of the season – Game Week 24 of 36 – and this match could define Waterford’s year. A win combined with a Sligo loss to in-form Derry would send the Blues ten points clear of the playoffs and all of fifteen away from the automatic relegation spot. Throw in a very possible Galway defeat in Dalymount Park and Waterford would finally move up to seventh after two months in uncomfortable eighth. On the other hand, defeat to Cork would send Bles fans into panic mode, give City life and inspire Sligo going into Saturday night. The importance of this game, therefore, cannot be overestimated. It’s time to take the anguish of last week out on someone and that someone being City would make it sweeter still.

 

Main photo - David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile