John Caulfield trusts ‘targeted’ skipper Conor McCormack

Cork City boss John Caulfield believes Conor McCormack was “targeted” against Dundalk at the weekend and will restore faith in his skipper as the champions face Shamrock Rovers at Turner’s Cross this evening (7.45pm).

McCormack was replaced after just 21 minutes in the 1-0 defeat to the Lilywhites at Oriel Park, and Caulfield admits he feared the Louth man would be sent off.

“Conor is a phenomenal player, he loves it here, and we love him. The problem you have is he was targeted,” the Cork City boss said yesterday. “In his history, he was sent off three times previously against Dundalk with other clubs, so it’s one of those situations where he’s on his last warning with 70 or 80 minutes of the match to play.