Bolger: We always knew it was going to be tough

When Cork City pitched up at Dalymount Park for their 30th league game of this 2017 campaign it marked four years to the very day since he had claimed the title with St Patrick’s Athletic thanks to a 2-0 win over Sligo Rovers in Inchicore.

Bolger will still double up on league medals at some point this season, most likely tonight when Cork face Derry City at Turner’s Cross needing just one point to seal the deal, but the manner in which they have done it contrasts sharply with 2013.

That win for Pats over Sligo, the reigning champions at the time, was the 13th game on the spin without defeat for Liam Buckley’s side.