Cork City suffered their first defeat of the new league campaign as an early Pat Hoban goal proved enough to secure a significant victory for their great rivals Dundalk at a raucous Oriel Park last night.

Donegal 1-16 Kildare 3-7: Donegal’s poorest performance of Division 1 this term was still enough to post a first win, at Kildare’s expense.

A right Corker of an FAI Cup weekend is in prospect with no less than five clubs from Leeside taking part in first round games between today and tomorrow.

Cork City will give injury concerns Garry Buckley (hamstring) and Mark O’Sullivan (knee) every chance to prove their fitness ahead of tomorrow’s FAI Cup final against Dundalk, but John Caulfield admits that it’s “touch and go” for both players.

Fresh from last week’s historic exploits in the Europa League, Dundalk refocus fully on their title retention quest when they host Shamrock Rovers at Oriel Park this evening.

Ireland’s football trendsetter across so many eras, writes Liam Mackey

Karl O’Dwyer still has the letter from Páidí Ó Sé congratulating him on his 1998 All- Star. 

Drogheda United 1 Dundalk 2: John Mountney’s deflected 90th-minute free-kick proved decisive as Dundalk snatched victory in an entertaining Louth derby at United Park last night.

On the night that Bray Wanderers all but ensured their safety, Dundalk failed to keep up their side of the bargain and handed advantage to Cork City ahead of their final-day showdown on Friday, despite coming from a goal down.

With four SSE Airtricity League Premier Division games to go for Cork City, the go-to cliché is that each one is a cup final.

Dundalk 5 Derry City 0

Premier Division:

Kildare boss Jason Ryan may watch championship games from the stand this year to improve his effectiveness.

Joint league leaders St Patrick’s Athletic and Dundalk meet in a top-of-the-table clash at Richmond Park this evening which will screened live on RTÉ2 (kick-off 7.30pm).

Kildare stars Daniel Flynn and Sean Hurley are to have trials with AFL clubs.

Kildare 1-12 Longford 0-12

Kildare manager Kieran McGeeney hopes to have Daryl Flynn, Eamonn Callaghan and Dermot Earley back in action by the time the Allianz Football League Division 1 returns in three weeks’ time.

ALLIANZ FL DIVISION 1

Kieran McGeeney aims to build on what he believes was on one of Kildare’s best seasons since he took charge in 2008.

Jason Ryan has admitted he missed being involved at inter-county level and his new role as coach/selector with Kildare is a perfect fit because it will not place the demands on his time that being manager of Wexford did.

Dublin chairman Andy Kettle has criticised Croke Park for what he perceives as them dragging their feet on next year’s proposed Spring Series.

Kildare 3-20 Cavan 1-9

Kildare corner-back Aindriú Mac Lochlainn has hit out at critics of his county’s attack. Despite scoring 0-19 in their opening victory against Offaly, it was The Sunday Game in particular that complained about a lack of killer instinct and an inability to get goals.

Kildare 3-13 Meath 1-12

Kildare 0-19 Derry 0-13

KILDARE boss Kieran McGeeney received a major boost with the news that he can call on defender Ollie Lyons for Saturday’s All-Ireland qualifier clash with Laois.

KILDARE football boss Kieran McGeeney will be delighted to hear there’s a possibility that star midfielder Daryl Flynn will be available for next year’s NFL campaign.

KILDARE boss, Kieran McGeeney hailed his side’s steely resolve as they recovered from a dreadful start to wear Meath down with a sensational second-half performance at Croke Park yesterday.

TIPPERARY boss Liam Sheedy has kept faith with the starting 15 that defeated Offaly in last weekend’s All-Ireland SHC qualifier for Sunday’s All-Ireland SHC quarter-final against Galway in Croke Park.

IF there’s one thing that never fails to amaze me, it’s football fans’ eternal propensity to rebound from the very depths of heart-rending disillusionment.

Sporting Fingal 2 Dundalk 1

INJURED Kildare ace Mikey Conway is set to face a major battle to play in even the latter stages of next year’s NFL campaign.

KILDARE manager Kieran McGeeney has cast doubts on his side’s ability to challenge for the All-Ireland title though they stand just 210 minutes from the ultimate honour after another scintillating game of football.

KILKENNY manager Brian Cody has made one change from the team which beat Galway in the Leinster SHC semi-final to face Dublin in the final at Croke Park tomorrow.

WATERFORD’S injury woes have deepened ahead of the Munster SHC final on July 12 as joint-captain Stephen Molumphy and veteran defender Tony Browne suffered major setbacks on Tuesday night.

KILDARE have taken a novel approach to the address the number of frees awarded against them by Cormac Reilly in their Leinster SFC quarter-final win over Wexford – they invited the referee to take charge of a training session.

KILLIAN YOUNG makes a return, Darragh O Sé gets a starting place at midfield and Tommy Walsh is fit to play in the full-forward position as a new-look Kerry team prepare to take on Cork in the Munster SFC semi-final replay at Páirc Uí Chaoimh on Saturday.

THE outstanding memory from yesterday’s Leinster championship encounter in Portlaoise would have been Kildare’s copybook football for the first 15 minutes, which yielded an impressive 1-7.

Crystal Palace could be forced to sell midfielder Hayden Mullins or risk seeing him leave on a free transfer next summer.

KILDARE and Sligo county boards look to be heading for another high-profile confrontation with accusations being matched by counterclaims.