Cork 'pain in the backside' aim

By Aidan Fitzmaurice

CORK City boss John Caulfield wants his side to take their league title challenge all the way to the last day of the season and to keep on being a "pain in the backside" for the rest of he league.

With current leaders Dundalk not involved in league action tonight, a home game for Cork against Drogheda United is an ideal chance to put some real pressure on Stephen Kenny's side. While Dundalk's goal difference is vastly superior to that of Dundalk, City can at least go level on points with the table toppers if they can beat Drogheda tonight.

Should the two title contenders keep racking up the wins in the next two weeks, it could all come down to the final day of the season (October 24th) when Dundalk host Cork.

And Cork, who won their last title (2005) with a dramatic finale against Derry City, hope that it goes to the last day.

"It's a fantastic situation for the lads themselves and fantastic for the club, that we maybe might get to the situation where we may go up to Dundalk for the last game of the season with the possibility of the league being at stake," says City boss Caulfield.

"We've probably been a pain in the backside for people, because we're still there and we've hung in there all season even though we've been written off all year. We're the only team that can give Dundalk a run for it; if we can keep our feet on the ground, give another good performance on Friday night and get another result, then we can keep the pressure on them."

"It would surprise a lot of people, because no-one has given us one iota of a chance and it just shows the character of the players and what they have done this year. The players have stepped up their performances because the pressure has been on them; they have delivered and you have to admire that."

Cork have taken full points from their last three games but tonight they face a Drogheda side who have overcome their FAI Cup drubbing by Derry City to establish a nice run in the league, and for Caulfield, a win tonight is crucial.

"The way I look at it is that we have one cup final. Tonight is crucial, we cannot afford to take our foot off the pedal or look anywhere else, because any points we drop now will really hand the title to Dundalk. It will be a very difficult game. Drogheda are a very compact, tight side, with good players all over the park. They work really hard and are an underrated side," he added.

3CORK CITY v DROGHEDA, Live Set Ire, (KO 8.0)