Cork City manager John Caulfield hopes that last night’s FAI Cup second round blowout against Athlone Town at Turner’s Cross will provide confidence to the team as they seek to clinch the league title.

In the end it was no more than a rehearsal but that didn’t stop some reviewing the black card’s debut like it was its opening weekend.

Stiffer sentences for the two killers of a police officer are being sought by the North's director of public prosecutions.