Manager John Caulfield will be in the stands as Cork City travel to Shamrock Rovers in the Premier Division tonight.

Hours after a late-night trip home from Dublin, the players regrouped on Saturday for their morning recovery session, and Steven Beattie recalls a low atmosphere.

Amid the serious business at hand, there was some light relief around at Cork City’s Bishopstown training ground this week.

There’s been grumbles from the faithful on Leeside after a stuttering fortnight that has left Cork City’s league title hopes hanging by a thread.

Cork City boss John Caulfield has told his players it is time to “stand up and be counted” as they look to rescue their stuttering season.

Is there a rivalry in Irish sport to match the intensity of Cork City and Dundalk in the League of Ireland over the past four years?

Cork City midfielder Gearoid Morrissey believes Declan Rice’s decision to take time to consider his international future leaves a bad taste, declaring that players should be “willing to die for the cause”.

Forget VAR. Forget writing off Germans. Forget In-ger-land. Forget Fifa conspiracies and dodgy Bob Marley cover versions. The World Cup takes a back seat tonight as the League of Ireland springs back to life with a top-of-the-table clash at Oriel Park.

Cork City have no fears about skipper Conor McCormack keeping cool in the white-hot atmosphere of Oriel Park on Friday night.

Here are all the latest headlines this lunchtime.

Irish Examiner soccer correspondent Liam Mackey joins Martin Claffey, Peter McNamara and presenter Stephen Barry to preview and predict the 2018 League of Ireland Premier Division.

A double-winning season is quite the foundation for Cork City’s new general manager to be starting from. But Paul Wycherley’s primary focus remains budgets and balance, he tells Martin Claffey.

Peter McNamara rounds off the World Cup play-off inquest with Larry Ryan and Martin Claffey of the Irish Examiner and Danish journalist Morten Glinvad.

Jack Charlton was Ireland manager the last time Ireland played a senior international match in Cork, and Munster’s finest provided the opposition, writes Martin Claffey.

Martin Claffey enjoys a walking break in the stunning surrounds of Connemara.

CARETAKER manager Don Givens is having to cope with a defensive crisis ahead of Saturday’s Euro 2008 qualifier against Wales.

Martin Claffey charts the amazing career path of former Irish U21 midfielder Wayne O’Sullivan.

Richie Partridge has revealed he still has high hopes of playing for the Irish international team - and Brian Kerr helped him keep his spirits up when when he was injured.

Ian Harte is hoping for a recall to the Ireland squad to face Croatia later this month after making a bright start to his career in Spain.

The Irish women's senior football team are to leave for the United States on Monday for two matches against the USA, the top women's football team in the world.

Irish striker Richie Foran is to make his full league debut for Motherwell in the Scottish Premier League against Hearts tomorrow.