Cork City preparing for all-or-nothing Cup final

With Dundalk on the brink of wrapping up their third league title in a row, it’s not too much of an exaggeration to say that Cork City’s season will be defined, for many, by how they fare in next month’s cup final against the side which is now on course to do a double-double.

“If you look at where we were to where we are - second in the league again, having scored more goals and conceded less, back in the cup final - the gap is much narrower, but the question will always be: have you won a trophy or haven’t you?” says City manager John Caulfield.

“And to people who want to criticise me or the team, it doesn’t matter that Dundalk might be the best team in the league ever. Or that they have a bigger budget.