Cork boss refuses to look past Dundalk

Cork City manager John Caulfield says that, in the run-up to Sunday’s FAI Cup final against Dundalk, he cannot afford to be distracted by talk of players who might leave the club in the close season.

Responding to a question about reports linking Karl Sheppard with a move to Dundalk, the City boss said yesterday: “This is cup final week. All my energy and focus is on this game. Nothing will sidetrack me and this squad. There has been talk about lots and lots of players going back a long, long time. Conor McCormack was going somewhere else a few weeks ago as well. (The club announced he has signed a new contract). So I’m very focused on this week.

“Do I expect changes? Of course there will be, we lost (Sean) Maguire and (Kevin) O’Connor two months ago, and they need to be replaced. So there is going to be an overhaul and a bit changing. But I still believe the majority of our players will stay.