Cork look to delay Dundalk coronation

The title is on the line at Turner’s Cross this evening but not in the way Cork City would have hoped it would be just three games ago.

But two defeats in those three matches mean City go into tonight’s meeting with St Patrick’s Athletic (7.45pm) knowing that, should they lose, leaders Dundalk will be crowned SSE Airtricity League champions for the third season in a row.

The gap between the top two is currently seven points with three games remaining, meaning that mathematically at least Cork are still not out of it. But even if they keep those faintest of hopes alive tonight against the side which beat them 3-1 on Monday, Dundalk will still be in a position to take the first of three opportunities to definitively settle the matter when they host Bohemians on Sunday.