If we perform, I believe we can defy expectations, says confident Caulfield
“It’s easy for me to say, at 50 years of age, because I have seen it,” he reflected yesterday. “I have been in a Cup final in 1992 (against Bohemians), where we were odds-on to win, we just had to go up and collect the trophy, and we went back home with our tail between our legs. Then we went up in 1998, we were given no chance, Shelbourne were home and dry to beat us - and we won the Cup. So the Cup is funny.
”There is huge hype in the city now. The good thing about it is that a lot of people are not giving us much of a chance, so maybe it’s easier to keep the players’ feet on the ground and be more focused, because everyone is expecting Dundalk to win the double. From my point of view it’s about managing the situation.”
At yesterday’s media day in Cork, Cauflied was able to convey the good news that, while there are a few players carrying knocks and niggles, he expects to have almost a full squad in contention for Sunday, the sole exception being John Kavanagh, who is on a three-month recovery programme following hamstring surgery with a view to having the issue fully resolved for the start of next season.
“He’s a young fellow and such a talent and the last thing we wanted was a scenario where injections mightn’t work and set him back again,” said Cauflield, “so we took a call to get it done and have him back for the start of next season.”
In Cork’s final league outing, a 0-1 win away to Bohs on Friday, there was a late scare for the manager as Liam Miller was forced off in the first half with a calf strain but it seems time is just about on his side. “If it was Friday it might be tricky,” said Caulfield, “but by Sunday I would expect him to okay.”
And, on top of securing the runners-up spot in the league for the second year running, a big bonus from that win in Dalymount was a return to action for the influential Colin Healy who appeared to be in good shape when he came on for the game’s final phase.
“If I’m being honest, three weeks ago it looked like he was gone, like his season was run,” Caulfield admitted. “It’s a heel injury; he got a kick about two months ago and it just flared up. We expected him back in three or four days, but it was worse it was getting. So it got to a stage where three weeks ago it looked like he was gone. Then he went to a different specialist, got different treatment and it started clearing up. On Friday that was a forced change. Initially we wanted him to go on for Liam, but Colm hadn’t done anything and felt 70 minutes was a lot for him. And we had to win the match. So it was a bonus when he did come in.”
Looking ahead to Sunday, Caulfield knows that, whatever side he picks, all of his players will have to be close to the top of their form if they are to overcome Dundalk, one of the best the League of Ireland has seen in years.
“They have won the league for two seasons,” Caulfield acknowledged. “They have good players and Stephen [Kenny] has been huge behind them as he has won so many trophies and that has helped them. He brought them to that level.
“We know we’ll have to play very well as they are favourites and are going for the double. Most people will expect them to win but it’s all about how you perform, on the day and if we perform I believe we’ll win. If four or five fellas don’t perform then we’ve no chance, and that’s just the way it is.”
Meanwhile, Caulfield is leaving nothing to chance, even to the extent of barring his players from touching the glittering prize at yesterday’s photo shoot.
“It’s funny, there are certain things you do, there are certain things you don’t do, but sure, we’re all half mad,” he laughed.
“I had it in my house in ’98, I had it for a week. That was great. But that was after we won it!”
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