Cork City match preview

Introduction

• West Ham United begin their 2013/14 pre-season schedule by taking on League of Ireland Premier Division side Cork City at Turner's Cross.

• The Hammers have been in the Republic of Ireland since Tuesday, enjoying a productive pre-season training camp at the Fota Island Resort a short distance outside the city of Cork. West Ham have trained at the Resort, while also paying a visit to University College Cork's Mardyke Arena.

• Cork City, who compete in the League of Ireland Premier Division, played a league match as recently as Friday evening, when they played host to Sligo Rovers. Cork won 3-1 against the reigning league champions, with two goals from Daryl Horgan and one from debutant Ciaran Kilduff. The two-times League of Ireland champions finished sixth in the standings in 2012.

• West Ham have visited Cork just once before in their history - in the week following their Division Two title win in May 1958. The Hammers, who had edged out Evergreen United 3-2 the previous day in Dublin, were defeated 4-2 at the Mardyke. John Dick and John Bond scored West Ham's goals in Cork, while Dixie Hale (two), Donie Wallace and Donal Leahy were on target for the home side. In 1959, Evergreen United became Cork Celtic, the club later represented by George Best and Geoff Hurst.

Team News

West Ham United

• West Ham United will be without record signing Andy Carroll, who has remained in England for treatment to a heal injury, while Northern Irish full-back George McCartney (knee) has also stayed behind at Chadwell Heath.

• Romania captain and left-back Razvan Rat, Spanish goalkeeper Adrian and youngster Danny Whitehead could all make their first appearances for West Ham following their summer arrivals from Shakhtar Donetsk, Real Betis and Stockport County respectively.

Background

• West Ham United and Cork City have never met previously. However, the Hammers have played on Irish soil on a number occasions.

• The Hammers have met Irish opposition on eight occasions in the past. Aside from the aforementioned meetings with Evergreen United in 1958, West Ham took on Distillery in both February 1955 at Grovenor Park (2-2) and October 1956 (7-5) at the Boleyn Ground. A decade later, Shamrock Rovers were beaten 3-1 at Dalymount Park in May 1965. In November 1989, the Hammers prevailed 1-0 against a Munster Select in Limerick, before a Republic of Ireland XI were defeated 4-2 at the Boleyn Ground in Tony Gale's testimonial. The most-recent meeting came at Richmond Park, when West Ham beat St Patrick's Athletic 1-0.

• Formed in 1984, Cork City won the League of Ireland title in 1993 and 2005. After some financial difficulties in the late 2000s, the Rebel Army were relegated to the First Division, but returned to the Premier Division as champions on the final day of the 2011 season. The club is owned by its supporters through a supporters' trust - the Friends of the Rebel Army Society and finished sixth in the Premier Division in 2012.

Last Time Out 

Sunday 19 May 2013
Barclays Premier League
West Ham United 4-2 Reading
West Ham United: Jaaskelainen, Demel, Collins, Reid, O'Brien (Taylor 86) , Diame, Noble, Nolan, Vaz Te (Maiga 81), Carroll, Joe Cole (Collison 74)
Subs not used: Henderson, Tomkins, Wellington Paulista, O'Neil
Goals: Nolan 23, 79, 87, Vaz Te 34

Friday 5 July 2013
League of Ireland Premier Division
Cork City 3-1 Sligo Rovers
Cork City: McNulty; Horgan, Spillane, Buckley, Murphy, Turner, Morrissey, Duggan, Horgan, Kavanagh (Behan 86), Kilduff (Furlong 86)
Subs not used: Burns, Browne, Kavanagh, Kenny
Goals: Horgan 49, 74, Kilduff 84

Previous meeting

West Ham United and Cork City have never met previously.

Last six meetings

West Ham United and Cork City have never met previously.

Ten-year records

West Ham United

2012/13 Premier League 10th
2011/12 Championship 3rd (86 points - promoted via Play-Offs)
2010/11 Premier League 20th (relegated to Championship)?
2009/10 Premier League 17th?
2008/09 Premier League 9th?
2007/08 Premier League 10th?
2006/07 Premier League 15th?
2005/06 Premier League 9th?
2004/05 Championship 6th (promoted to Premier League via Play-Offs)?
2003/04 Division One 4th?

Cork City

2012 Premier Division 6th
2011 First Division 1st (promoted to Premier Division)?
2010 Premier Division 6th
2009 Premier Division 3rd?
2008 First Division 5th?
2007 Premier Division 4th?
2006 Premier Division 4th
2005 Premier Division 1st?
2004 Premier Division 2nd
2003 Premier Division 3rd

General Information

• For ticket information please click here.

• Sunday's weather forecast is for a sunny day with maximum temperatures reaching 23C (74F).