Progress name of the game for City

John Caulfield cited a demoralising double loss in Europe as a pivotal point in Cork City’s fortunes last season, the team’s subsequent slump in league form meaning that, even with a late rally, they were unable to defend their title as Dundalk reclaimed the glittering prize.

Doubtless Caulfield’s then assistant, now successor, John Cotter will be hoping that European competition can have the opposite effect this time around as, in the midst of a season of much toil and no little trouble, City welcome Luxembourg’s Progres Niederkorn to Turner’s Cross for a first round, first leg Europa League qualifier (kick off 7.45pm).