REBELS NEED TO BUCK UP THEIR IDEAS

GARRY BUCKLEY insists Cork City cannot dwell on their defeat to Dundalk but says it’s proof they won’t have everything their own way this season.

The champions and double winners were not at the races in Friday’s 1-0 loss and were blessed not to be beaten out the gate.

To a man, John Caulfield and his players put their hands up and said the performance was not good enough.

They have to knuckle down and refocus ahead of hosting a Shamrock Rovers side tonight with 12 goals in their last two games.

Buckley said: “It’s going to be a tough league, we play each other four times so it’s a marathon. I can’t see anybody being 18 points ahead (like Cork last year).

“We have to dust ourselves down. It’s a long season and we cannot let the Dundalk game get our heads down.

“We’ll be ready to go again tonight, no bother about that.” WATERFORD went joint top of the table with their late winner in Sligo on Friday and go into this home clash with Bohemians as favourites.

But Izzy Akinade and Garry Comerford missed that victory as did Dean O’halloran and Faysel Kasmi so boss Alan Reynolds has a call to

The midfielder continued: “Rovers are a good side and we know every team in this league is tough.”

Rovers boss Stephen Bradley was keen to play down title expectations before Friday’s big win over Derry but Caulfield insists the Hoops are contenders.

“There’s no doubt you expect Rovers to challenge,” said the Rebels boss ahead of tonight’s Turner’s Cross clash.

“They’ve a serious chance with their team and they signed well. It’ll be a massive match but it’s still early days.

“In this league you don’t feel sorry for yourself or make excuses and in front of our own crowd, we’ve to make sure we’re ready.”

Rovers boss Bradley, inset, said: “We’ll go there full of confidence. We believe we can cause problems and create chances anywhere.”

Cork stalwarts Mark Mcnulty and Alan Bennett require fitness tests while Rovers have doubts over Ethan Boyle and former Rebel Greg Bolger. make on the quartet.

After four points from their first two games, the Gypsies have lost two on the spin to St Pat’s and Derry City.

Philip Gannon joins a Bohs injury list that already included longterm concerns Ryan Swan and Cristian Magerusan.