Limerick vs Cork City

The 3rd Munster Derby in the Premier Division this season takes place in Thomond Park on Friday night, as Limerick entertain Cork City.

Limerick
Things haven't been rosy for Stuart Taylor's men recently. They come into this game off back to back defeats to Shelbourne and Derry City. They currently sit two points ahead of their opponents tonight, but they haven't picked up a victory since July the 5th.

Speaking ahead of the tie to www.limerick.ie, manager Stuart Taylor pointed that an improvement is needed from recent losses “Cork are a good side, but after the last two results I don’t want a draw, I want a win and we want to do it in a bit of style in front of our home supporters.''

The Superblues will have to plan without Axel Bossekota, as the winger has picked up 8 yellow cards, so he begins a suspension. But they do have Stpehen Folan available again after suspension but Stephen McGann and Pat Purcell remain injured. There are also doubts over Shane Tracy. New signings Carel Tiofack and Jason Hughes could also feature at some stage.

Cork CityYet again, Cork City threw away points, and yet again, it was in the last 5 minutes of the game. They conceded a late Killian Brennan penalty in Richmond last week, and the weekend before that, were beaten by Stephen O'Donnell as Dundalk stole a point from the Cross. Brennan's winner meant that Cork had now lost 14 points in the last 5 minutes of games this season.

The Rebel Army have the exact same record in their last 6 as the Shannonsiders. 2 wins, 3 defeats and a draw.

Tommy Dunne was at Limerick's defeat to Derry, and speaking to www.extratime.ie ahead of the game, he said he was impressed with the caliber of the opposition:

“They are a good team. I watched them against Derry and for long periods of the match, they were the better side and maybe they didn’t get the rub of the green that they deserved on the day. They have a very strong trio of O’Leary, Gamble and Bradley in the middle, but they are very strong all over the pitch.”

“We know it will be a tough game, but we need to bring our recent good performances into the match. We have to start getting results; it is as simple and straightforward as that. It’s a Munster Derby, it’s a big game, but if we roll up our sleeves and give everything we have, then we can get something out of the game.”

Colin Healy, John Dunleavy and Stephen Kenny are all doubts. John Kavanagh, Darren Dennehy, Kevin Burns and Kevin Murray are definitely out, while Kalen Spillane begins his suspension after his dismissal in Inchicore. Coupled with the exit of Danny Furlong, Denis Behan and Daryl Kavanagh, as well as Adam Rundle, Cork only have 3 strikers available in their squad, barring the call up of their successful under-19 champions.

OTS Prediction: Limerick 2-1 Cork City

Betting odds (courtesy of Paddy Power)
Limerick 13/10
Cork City 2/1
Draw 11/5