Maynooth University Town, in the words of manager Barry Prenderville, already “know the road to Cork well” having beaten Rockmount and Blarney United on their way to winning the Intermediate Cup in May and then Everton and Leeds in this year’s FAI Cup.

With Cork City and Bray facing off this evening, Dundalk know a draw at Turner’s Cross would, if they can beat Galway United, see the champions close the gap on the leaders and make second place their own in the Premier Division.

As they watch Dundalk disappearing over the horizon in the league, Cork City and St Patrick’s Athletic have had just a couple of days in which to lick their wounds after their respective unhappy Mondays in Tallaght Stadium and Oriel Park.