Cork and Drogs to clash in basement battle

There's a huge game at the bottom of the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division this Frday night as Drogheda United welcome Cork City to Weavers Park.

Kevin Doherty's dogged Drogs are currently eighth, five points clear of the Leesiders. A home win would lift them above Sligo Rovers, who face Shelbourne on Saturday, and significantly boost their survival ambitions.

It would also massively dent Cork's hopes of escaping ninth spot and a relegation play-off against whoever comes through the First Division play-offs.

They've been in a state of disarray for a large chunk of the campaign, with Colin Healy resigning as manager in May and Liam Buckley - who had only just taken up a post as sporting director - stepping into fill the void on a temporary basis alongside assistant boss Richie Holland, head of academy Liam Kearney, first-team coach Declan Coleman and goalkeeping coach Anthony Fennelly.

Recent results have not been good - notwithstanding Monday's FAI Cup win over Waterford - and Cork are now in a serious scrap to avoid going down having earned promotion to the top flight last year.

"That situation with Colin Healy and Liam Buckley is an absolute mess," Paul Corry said on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast.

"When Colin left and Liam was in a director of football position and now manager - and Liam is more than capable, I'm not saying he isn't - but I think clarity is needed at that club of what direction they're going to take it forward.

"I don't think that's helped performances or results at all. There was a bit of a bounce when Liam got the job but there's been so much uncertainty since then and it's no coincidence to my eyes that a sort of uncertainty is creeping into the performances and results now.

"For me that's one where they