FAI Cup Final Preview: Cork City - v - Dundalk

It is the biggest day in our domestic calendar and what a mouth-watering pairing this year’s FAI Cup Final has trown together; The League Champions Dundalk lock horns with the runners-up Cork City for one final time this season to add a special edge and glamour to this year’s Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup Final.

CORK CITY

Manager John Caulfield has helped restore Cork City as a footballing force in Irish football and he might well have been hailed as one of the finest managers of the modern era were it not for the restoration of their title rivals Dundalk under Stephen Kenny.

City have had to settle for the league runners-up spot two season in a row, on both occasions pipped to the post by Dundalk

The Leesiders will have a chance to get some balm for their wounds if they can pip the Lilywhites in the Final but they know they will have to be at their best to be in with a chance.

Despite 11 points separating them at the close of the league, the three meetings between the sides were tight affairs with Dundalk winning the first match between them and the remaining two finishing level.

Speaking to the media ahead of the clash, Caulfield acknowledged that Dundalk had to be considered favourites but that he hoped on the day his side could find a way to outmaneuver them:“The majority of the pundits believe that Dundalk will win the game. However we have proven in the last two meetings with them that the two teams are very evenly matched. We know we have a massive challenge ahead of us and I am asking the fans to get into the ground early, be our Twelfth Man and create the kind of atmosphere that can help us win the cup.”

The City boss has been pleased with the attitude and application of his men ahead of the match:

“My job is to keep the players focused you would expect on the week of a cup final, training has been good and really competitive this week; everyone knows how big the match is and how important it is to the club. As a player, these are the occasions you look forward to. You want to make sure you play well and it is important that the lads leave everything on the pitch on Sunday.”

The Rebels wrapped up second spot with a competitive win over their bogey team Bohemians in the league but there are question marks over the availability of Liam Miller and Colin Healy who had a few niggles after the game.

John O’Flynn missed the Bohs game and will have to prove his fitness ahead of Sunday morning. John Kavanagh is certainly missing due to his recent surgery.

DUNDALK FC

The FAI Cup is the only piece of silverware Stephen Kenny has not won with his rampant side since he took the helm at Oriel Park. He oversaw a double success of sorts last season lifting the title and the league cup, but victory on Sunday will be even more special and mark the first Lilywhite league and FAI Cup double since 1988. The current league champions look well poised to make another piece of history.

Kenny praised his side’s consistency and attitude in his programme notes ahead of the league fixture against Bray. That match marked the end of the season and with the title already secured, the Town ran out comfortable 4-0 winners, indicative of the professionalism and hunger inherent in this side.

The squad clearly doesn’t’ consider the season over until after the FAI Cup Final has been played.

It was back in 2002 when Dundalk last appeared in cup final and, thanks to two goals from Gary Haylock, they ran out victorious despite having been relegated in the weeks before. They were overwhelming underdogs against a hotly fancied Bohemians side – managed by none other than Stephen Kenny - but they carry the favourites tag this time around.

That said, their squad has no shortage of cup heartache stories. Many shudder to remember the 2012 heartbreak against Drogheda United when two early quick-fire red cards turned the tie on its head.

Defender Andy Boyle told his club’s media of his own cup heartache with Shelbourne:

“I was there before in 2011 and losing the final is not nice. We lost it on penalties that day with Shelbourne. We were underdogs that day but it’s different now. We have a really good team here and a proper chance to win the trophy.”

He was looking forward to playing at the Aviva Stadium and hoped that it might suit his side but was also wary of the threat Cork posed:

“The Aviva Stadium is a great place to play football. I think it will really suit our style of play. Cork City are a great side.  We got a really difficult game against them two weeks ago in Turner’s Cross. We went 2-0 up, maybe took our foot off the gas a little bit. They are a dangerous team and were our closest challengers in the league the past two seasons. We only pipped them to it last year but the matches have all been very close.”

Boyle will likely wear the captain’s armband on Sunday as it looks like Stephen O’Donnell will miss the game due to aggravating a groin injury against Bray Wanderers last week.

Referee: David McKeon

MATCH STATS

Although running them close at times, Cork City haven’t beaten Dundalk in their last ten encounters.

City have won the FAI Cup twice - in 1998 and in 2007 - while Dundalk are gunning for their 10^th cup success. The Lilywhites last won it in 2002.

This will be just Dundalk’s second final at Lansdowne Road with the other one being in 1993 and ended in a 1-0 defeat.

BETTING

Cork 11/4 ; Draw 21/5 ; Dundalk 1/1 .

PREDICTION

Cork City 1 – 3 Dundalk FC

Cork City

Injured: John Kavanagh

Doubtful: Liam Miller, Colin Healy, John O’Flynn.

Suspended: None.

Dundalk FC

Injured: Stephen O’Donnell.

Doubtful: None.

Suspended: None.