Is it all over for sports analysis at long, long last? Have we finally gone over the brow of the mountain, beyond the peak and down the incline on the far side?

Noel Mooney believes government opposition to his role at the FAI is “bonkers and not based in reality” but says he is prepared to leave his position as caretaker general manager “for the good of Irish football”.

Former Cork City players Neal Horgan and Darren Murphy interview FAI General Manager Noel Mooney about the League of Ireland's future.

Former Cork City players Neal Horgan and Darren Murphy interview FAI General Manager Noel Mooney about the League of Ireland's future.

Neal Horgan says the FAI must open up in order to renew trust and confidence.

As the domestic game’s big two go head to head again tonight, former Cork City player Neal Horgan argues for greater recognition of the League of Ireland at international level.

The shocking news of Liam Miller’s passing, a few days short of his 37th birthday, is very difficult to comprehend, writes Neal Horgan.

Cork City 1 Bray Wanderers 0

Cork City needed extra-time before eventually seeing-off battling Wilton United to capture the Munster Senior Cup for the first time since 2008 at Turner’s Cross last night.

With the new season fully into its stride and the Conroy Report still under discussion, former Cork City player Neal Horgan argues that some of the most crucial issues facing the League of Ireland have yet to be properly addressed and that action is required to improved things.

Credit where it’s due. Might Irish football be finally set to plug the gap that has dogged our game for so long?

When the players of FC Haka of Finland walked off the pitch at Turner’s Cross in July 2008 following an entertaining 2-2 draw, few of the home fans could have predicted that it would be seven long years before the ground would hold another European club fixture.

In a club and a city on the march, Cork City captain Johnny Dunleavy looks forward and back, says Neal Horgan.

In an edited extract from his new book about the club, the Cork City stalwart Neal Horgan recalls the thrills and spills of European football which helped shape the celebrated title-winning team of 2005.

Gardaí who were suspicious of drug-related activity in a house at Passage West, Co Cork, obtained a warrant to search the home and found a cannabis bar worth over €500 in a kitchen cupboard.

Serious question: Is the League of Ireland a full- or part-time pursuit? I’ll bet most of you think you know the answer to this.

Caretaker manager Stuart Ashton faces his biggest test yet as Cork City take on Bohemians at Turner’s Cross this evening in a game which could have major significance on the race away from the bottom of the Airtricity League Premier Division.

Shane Long returns to his point of departure this evening when West Bromwich Albion visit Leeside to play Cork City in a friendly game which will be both a little nostalgia trip for the Republic of Ireland striker and also another chance to impress his club boss on the eve of a new Premier League season.

Airtricity Premier Division

Cork City manager Tommy Dunne will be hoping to build on last week’s 3-1 victory over Airtricity League champions Sligo Rovers when they travel to take on bottom club Shelbourne at Tolka Park tonight (8pm).

The summer break in the Airtricity League arrived at an opportune moment for Cork City, Daryl Horgan’s goal-of-the-season contender against Drogheda United ensuring a badly needed home win and moving the club up a few places to mid-table in the Premier Division.

The summer break in the Airtricity League arrived at an opportune moment for Cork City, Daryl Horgan’s goal-of-the-season contender against Drogheda United ensuring a badly needed home win and moving the club up a few places to mid-table in the Premier Division.

AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION:

Cork City have been fined by the FAI after one of its supporters racially abused Bray Wanderers player Ismahil Akinade at last week’s home game at Turners Cross.

Domestic football has claimed its first managerial casualty of the season with the departure of Alan Mathews from Shelbourne.

AIRTRICITY PREMIER DIVISION:

Still holding maximum points in the league, but smarting from defeat by Drogheda United in the Setanta Cup, champions Sligo Rovers travel to Richmond Park to take on third-placed St Patrick’s Athletic in the big game of the night in the Airtricity Premier Division (kick-off 7:05pm, live on RTE 2).

Daryl Kavanagh proved his point at Tallaght Stadium with a brilliant away goal as Cork City drew 1-1 with Shamrock Rovers in their Setanta Sports Cup semi-final, first leg.

Having coughed up late goals in three successive games, Cork City will be keen to make life a bit more comfortable for themselves against UCD in their Airtricity League Premier Division meeting at Turner’s Cross tonight (7.45pm).

While the majority of leagues take a break for the duration of international blocs, there’s no such rest for Airtricity League clubs, with a full list of fixtures down for decision today and tomorrow – even if the cruel weather might still force a couple of cancellations.

Airtricity League Premier Division: Cork City 2 Bohemians 1

Cork City 4 Cliftonville 0

Republic of Ireland right-back Stephen Kelly last night completed his move from Fulham to Reading on a two-and-a-half year deal.

Drogheda United can move within six points of leaders Sligo Rovers if they beat Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds in the pick of tonight’s programme of Airtricity League Premier Division games (7.45pm).

Cork City 1 Shamrock Rovers 2

The glamour tie of the FAI Ford Cup third round pits Shamrock Rovers against Cork City in front of the RTÉ television cameras in Tallaght this evening, with an early kick off of 7.05pm.

A goal from substitute Davin O’Neill 20 minutes from time saw 10-man Cork City get back to winning ways in a five-goal thriller at Turner’s Cross last night.

Cork City and Drogheda United go into tonight’s game at Turner’s Cross on the back of defeats, but each has a very different reason for wanting to bounce back as quickly as possible.

Airtricity Premier Division leaders Sligo Rovers, bidding for a first league success since 1978, can keep on course for the title by collecting another vital three points in tonight’s clash with Shelbourne at Tolka Park (8 pm).