Dundalk’s treble dream is still on although the champions needed Michael Duffy’s 89th-minute winner to break Sligo Rovers’ resolve in yesterday’s Extra.ie FAI Cup semi-final at The Showgrounds.

A first-half hat-trick from Daniel Kelly ensured that Dundalk remain on course for a domestic treble as Vinny Perth’s side booked their place into the semi-final of the FAI Cup after a hard-fought win over a battling Waterford FC at the RSC last night.

There was no sign of a European hangover from league leaders Dundalk FC as they put 10 man Finn Harps to the sword at Oriel Park last night.

Two goals inside the opening 33 minutes from Rafael Ratão and Aleksandar Čavrić killed the game as a contest and while the Lilywhites never gave up, even briefly threatening a mini-revival when Michael Duffy pulled one back midway through the second half, this ultimately proved a challenge too far.

Gutsy Dundalk will go to Azerbaijan next week with a genuine opportunity of reaching the third qualifying round of the Champions League.

Colchester United loanee, Junior Uzokwe, was hailed a hero at the Ryan McBride Brandywell stadium, the tricky winger snatching maximum points away from Dundalk when netting a 94th minute equaliser for Derry City.

Seán Gannon’s 73rd-minute goal was the difference at Tallaght last night, as Dundalk edged a nail-biting affair against Shamrock Rovers.

John Cotter is pleased that Cork City have an immediate opportunity to bounce back after losing to Dundalk at Turner’s Cross.

Cork City suffered their first defeat under interim manager John Cotter as Premier Division leaders Dundalk took the points at Turner’s Cross.

It’s the New Firm — but not as we know it.

Dundalk FC have their swagger back as a brace from Michael Duffy helped the champions ease past the challenge of Waterford FC to record their fifth win on the bounce in last night’s SSE Airtricity Premier Division clash at the RSC.

No wins in seven matches over the past six weeks has intensified pressure on Cork City, meaning anything less than victory Monday night against basement side Finn Harps at Turner's Cross will fuel crisis talk.

Not everything will be sunny in the South-East this evening as Cork City and Waterford bid for a much-needed SSE Airtricity League Premier Division victory to lift dark clouds hanging over both clubs.

This was a far more commanding victory for Dundalk than the narrow scoreline might suggest, as a Michael Duffy header capped an at times swaggering display from the champions to claim a big three points in defence of their title and bring Cork City’s recent resurgence to a shuddering halt.

With final college exams just weeks away, you’d expect Cork City defender Sean McLoughlin to be feeling some sort of pressure.

And so the league champions are now also the cup holders, Dundalk confirming another changing of the guard in Irish football by doing what Cork City had done one year before: the precious double.

Hail, hail King Kenny.

Denis Hurley picks out five talking points from Dundalk's FAI Cup final victory.

Four titles including one double in Dane Massey’s six years at Oriel Park have done nothing to blunt the Dundalk defender’s appetite for more silverware.

Dundalk 1 St Patrick’s Athletic 1

Dundalk have announced a double-boost to their squad following their last-gasp victory over title rivals Cork City.

Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers believes his side’s style can overcome Cork City’s guile when the two go head-to-head in their top-of-the-table clash at Oriel Park tomorrow night.

Dundalk goalkeeper Gary Rogers believes his side’s style can overcome Cork City’s guile when the two go head-to-head in their top-of-the-table clash at Oriel Park tomorrow night.

There will be no marquee meeting with Celtic for Cork City in the first round of the Champions League but Ireland’s title-holders will still face tough opposition when the pairings are finalised at the draw in Switzerland this morning.

A week after the ‘beast from the east’ snowfall wreaked havoc on the SSE Airtricity League programme, champions Cork City will have to cope with Dundalk’s ‘best of the west’ at Oriel Park tonight.

It's safe to say Patrick McEleney didn’t know much about this debut goal...

While Sean Maguire’s brace in Preston’s 3-1 Championship win at Bolton was the main Irish storyline from Saturday, Patrick McEleney will also have fond memories of a weekend where the weather wrecked havoc with the sports programme.

Cork City boss John Caulfield says his war of words with Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny in the wake of last year’s FAI Cup final has been consigned to history.

The Irish football year was book-ended and overshadowed by the tragic deaths of Derry City skipper Ryan McBride and the young Shelbourne striker Izzy Desu, writes Liam Mackey.

Ireland won’t be part of the summer World Cup spectacle but there remains some burning issues for the game here in the year ahead.

Dundalk have completed the signing of striker Ronan Murray.

John Caulfield was an understandably happy man yesterday as he allowed the scale of the club’s double-double achievement to sink in.

John Caulfield was an understandably happy man yesterday as he allowed the scale of the club’s double-double achievement to sink in.

Stephen Kenny hasn’t had too many disappointments in his time as Dundalk manager but perhaps top of the list is last year’s FAI Cup final defeat to Cork City.

There was heartbreak for Galway United tonight as they make the drop to the First Division of the SSE Airtricity League next season despite a brave second-half comeback.

Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers will have to meet again to determine who joins Cork City in this year’s FAI Cup final following a fiesty semi-final clash at Oriel Park yesterday evening.

Cork City 1 - Dundalk 1: Cork City were just three minutes away from their first title in 12 years last night but, frustratingly for the home side, a Robbie Benson goal — cancelling out a first half Brian Gartland own goal — smashed and grabbed the point for Dundalk which was enough to prevent the trophy officially changing hands at Turner’s Cross.

Dundalk 3 Drogheda United 0: Dundalk are refusing to give up on their title.

SSE Airtricity League

Dundalk displayed their desire to regain the FAI Cup by hitting Derry City for four at Oriel Park last night.

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.

Rosenborg 2 - 1 Dundalk (a.e.t - Rosenborg win 3-2 on agg.) Matthias Vilhjalmsson’s header in extra-time and the top of the crossbar denied Dundalk a stunning result against Rosenborg at the Lerkendal Stadion last night as their European dreams came to a cruel end in Norway.

Dundalk will have to repeat their feat of 12 months ago and score away in Scandinavia next week if they are to embark on another European adventure.