City begin long haul in defence of the realm

CORK CITY open the defence of their eircom Premier League of Ireland crown at Turner’s Cross tonight, with newly-promoted Dublin City providing the upstart opposition.

It’s probably too much to expect the Vikings - even with fresh playing blood on board and gnarled veteran Dermot Keely at the helm - to be contesting things at the business end of the table come next November, but, rest assured, they will be only the first of many visitors to the Cross determined to lift the biggest scalp in Irish football.

That’s the price champions have to pay. Winning the league is hard, but retaining it is harder still. Cork City, who last year lifted their first championship since 1993, are set to learn all about that.