COL’S CITY HAVE ’FORD IN FOCUS

COLIN HEALY knows he needs to have his homework done to keep Cork City top of the class when Longford Town hit Leeside tonight.

It’s first versus third in a clash of the division’s two in-form sides before what should be another bumper crowd at Turner’s Cross.

Table-toppers City are unbeaten in nine games, including seven wins, while Gary Cronin’s Town arrive not having lost in seven and have two games in hand.

“They’re a good side, with a good manager and they’ve some very good attacking players,” said wary Rebels’ gaffer Healy (above).

“We need to get our homework right on them. It will be a massive game, a tight game and one we’re looking forward to.”

A dour 0-0 draw was the outcome when the sides met at Bishopsgate early last month.

Due to being idle and postponements, Town’s excuse was it was their first game of the season while Cork simply didn’t play well on a chilly night in the midlands.

“Up there we didn’t perform as we should have,” recalled Healy, who watched that game on LOITV due to a short absence from the dugout for personal reasons.

“They have games in hand so it would be great to get a win against them.”

City beat neighbours Cobh Ramblers 3-2 in a cracker at St Colman’s Park last Friday night before a crowd just shy of 4,000.

And Healy wants to hear the Rebels roar even louder back home at the Cross tonight.

“When the players go onto the pitch they give everything and that’s what we demand of them,” said Healy. “The fans see that. When you put on the jersey you give everything for yourself, the team and the club. They are doing that and hopefully it continues.”