Updated at 19.15
1. It’s the latest chapter in what’s becoming an intense rivalry
Their race for the title in 2014 went down to the final game of the season between the two sides at Oriel Park. Dundalk emerged victorious, and they’ve been doing so against City on a regular basis in the past few years. The rivalry between the clubs has only intensified as they’ve surged ahead once again so far this season, but recent history suggests that Dundalk have certainly had the upper hand. Three wins from three in last year’s campaign for the Lilywhites, you have to go back seven games — to October 2012 — for Cork City’s last league victory.
You can wind the clock back as far as 1991 for the origins of the rivalry, in fact. With the league title at stake, Cork City and Dundalk met on the final day of the season — sound familiar? — and the honours went to the men from Louth after a 1-0 win thanks to Tom McNulty’s 73rd-minute goal. City will feel they’re due a league triumph at Dundalk’s expense. Ten years since they last got their hands on the title, will this be the Leesiders’ season? Expect it to be feisty tonight too. There were 15 yellow cards dished out in the three games between the teams last year and referee Rob Rogers generally doesn’t hesitate to reach for his pocket.
2. The form player in the league will be on show
Managing to keep Richie Towell at the club gave Dundalk a big boost as they began their title defence last month, and so far he’s looked even better than he did in 2014. With seven league goals to his name following Monday night’s hat-trick against Galway United, Towell is the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division’s top scorer.
However, the 23-year-old will face a sizeable challenge tonight. Cork City manager John Caulfield has been deploying his former international duo of Colin Healy and Liam Miller in holding roles in front of their back-four, and they’ll be keeping close tabs on the influence that their fellow ex-Celtic player might exert.
3. The ‘next Seamus Coleman’ will also be in action
Cork City have earned a reputation as the League of Ireland’s most prolific exporter of talent to the UK, and if you’re placing a bet on who’ll be next to make the trip across the Irish Sea, the safe money is on right-back John Kavanagh. Defensively astute and always keen to get forward, the 21-year-old has been outstanding for Cork City this season. John Caulfield hasn’t suffered at all from Brian Lenihan’s departure to Hull City as a result.
Kavanagh has made The42‘s team of the week on five consecutive occasions — the dream for every League of Ireland player. The young defender will cover every blade of grass tonight on Cork City’s right flank. With Dane Massey at the opposite end, it should make for an intriguing tussle.
4. Even at this early stage it’ll have a big impact on the destination of the title
It’s too soon to be discussing must-win games but there’s more than just three points on offer tonight. If Dundalk can leave Leeside with a five-point gap between themselves and last year’s runners-up, it’ll be a huge blow to Cork City. For the home side, a win will give them a vital psychological fillip as they approach the next series of games. Having failed to take a single point from Dundalk last year, John Caulfield’s side need a positive result to convince themselves that they’re stronger than they were in 2014 and are capable of going one better this season.
Dundalk had a slip-up in Limerick a couple of weeks ago and were held in Tallaght too after having goalkeeper Gary Rogers sent off. If they can avoid defeat away to their closest rivals tonight, it’s difficult to see where else they’ll drop enough points to relinquish their title.
5. Nothing in Irish football can beat a sold-out Turner’s Cross for a big game
There’s been a buzz in Cork about this game all week and there won’t be an empty seat at Turner’s Cross tonight. The ground has played host to many memorable occasions over the years, both in domestic competitions and in Europe, but there’s a sense on Leeside that this game will have a very significant bearing on the club’s title aspirations. They exceeded expectations last year, there’s a popular figure in charge in the shape of John Caulfield, and their challenge is backboned by local lads like Alan Bennett, Colin Healy and Liam Miller. But now there’s pressure to deliver.
With the RTÉ cameras broadcasting from a sold-out ground regarded as the best in the league, and two talented teams on show, this is the best the SSE Airtricity League has to offer in every sense. It you’re a football fan who’s sceptical about our domestic league, tonight will be a good opportunity to change your mindset. It might not be La Liga or the Premier League, but if you’re capable of enjoying a three-hour broadcast of West Brom versus Hull City narrated by Jamie Redknapp, you might be pleasantly surprised by the entertainment you’ll yield from Cork City versus Dundalk.
Tonight’s game between Cork City and Dundalk will be broadcast live on RTÉ 2, with coverage beginning from 7.30pm.
