It’s Cork Derby week in the First Division week as we visit Cork City on Friday night for our first away trip of the 2022 campaign.
The Rams come into the tie on the back of last Friday’s 0-0 draw at home to Treaty in St Colman’s Park, while City were held to the same scoreline in Longford a day later. While it remains early in the year both sides will be eager to push on in the first derby of the season.
Breandán Frahill returns from a one game suspension but Sean Barron and Pierce Phillips are doubts having picked up knocks last week. Darryl Walsh remains a number of weeks away from action.
Plenty of players could face their former club on Friday night, including new Ramblers arrivals Beineón O’Brien Whitmarsh, Issa Kargbo and Luke Desmond.
The sides faced each-other three times in 2021, with all three games finishing in a home win, one for Cobh and two for Cork. A large crowd is expected this time around for the first Cork Derby without Covid restrictions since 2008.
Manager Darren Murphy is well aware of the game having played in it himself,
“We’re looking forward to it. We want our lads to go out there and show their ability, show what they’re made of. We’ve done our homework and know what we’ll have to do. The pressure is probably more on the other side, given what their fans expect. It’s a derby and there’s always that extra bit of bite there.
It’s a chance to impress on a big stage. We saw the crowd last week and the demand is there to watch this level of football. People know the talent that’s on show and want to watch these games. “
Dale Holland also spoke this week as he goes up against his former side,
“Obviously there’s a lot of talk around this one. It’s a big derby but we’ll just set out to win like any other game. It’ll be intense, it’ll be physical. We’re going in confident and hopefully we can pick up a positive result and go from there.”
Kick-off: 19:45
Venue – Turners Cross
Tickets – https://corkcityfc.ticketco.events/ie/ie/e/cork_city_v_crfc
