Usurped by the Hoops as Dundalk’s main challengers and FAI Cup final opponents, the Rebel Army found themselves second-best to their hosts as the curtain came down on a campaign that nobody will remember with fondness.

Cork City finally preserved their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division status after a highly entertaining 3-2 win over a gutsy UCD side at Turners Cross tonight.

Neale Fenn’s managerial reign got off to an inauspicious start as his attacking brand of football was undone by a ruthless Sligo Rovers front-line in this thrilling encounter at Turner’s Cross.