Dane Massey: Dundalk focus solely on the cup

There has been no time to even consider resting on their laurels for Dundalk as the countdown to their FAI Cup final date with Cork City intensifies.

And Dane Massey would have it no other way. Stephen Kenny’s side collected the SSE Airtricity League trophy following Friday’s 4-0 drubbing of Bray Wanderers at Oriel Park to complete back-to-back league titles for the first time in the club’s history.

But the celebrations were somewhat low-key as the focus soon turned to the Aviva Stadium this Sunday and a shot at a double. “Friday is done and dusted,” said left-back Massey. “We collected the trophy and we were straight back in (training) Saturday morning. No beers, just champagne, and that was it. Nobody was losing the head!”

Having been a keen spectator at every final at the Aviva since it reopened in 2010, Massey is relishing getting to play at the Dublin 4 venue.

“This is my first cup final and I’m really looking forward to it. I’ve gone every year with my father (Paul). My firstone was Sligo v Shamrock Rovers. It’s the place every player wants to play. The biggest stage.”

Even before the semi-finals, the consensus was a Dundalk v Cork City decider was the one most in the domestic game wanted to see to bring the curtain down on the season.

And while Dundalk are regarded as warm favourites, Cork boss John Caulfield quipped meeting City was perhaps the final the Louth side would’ve least fancied.

“Being favourites doesn’t really bother us,” said 27-year-old Massey. “We’ve been favourites all year and we’ve done a terrific job holding onto the league. We don’t care who we’ve to play in the cup final,” added Massey of the Lilywhites’ main rivals.

“We haven’t lost to Cork in the last three years, so we’d be confident going into it. I’m sure Cork are sick of the sight of us at this stage and they’ll be going in with extra fire in their bellies to put one over us.

“We’ve great respect for them. Cork are good team and John has them playing great stuff. They have many senior players like Dan Murray and internationals Liam Miller and Colin Healy. I’m sure they’re telling their team-mates what to prepare for. But we’ve the hunger there that we’ve had all year. We want to win to everything.”