Caulfield hails awesome City cup display

John Caulfield has Cork City primed and ready, as they look to finally bring some silverware back to Leeside. They progressed to next month’s final of FAI Cup on Sunday, after a deserved 3-1 victory over St Patrick’s Athletic.

Goals from one of the hottest properties in League of Ireland football at present, Sean Maguire, along with an Alan Bennett headed effort, secured a place for City in the Aviva Stadium showpiece event for the second year in a row.

Cork have been like men on a mission and have produced some impressive displays in recent weeks (including their 5-0 demolition of Shamrock Rovers in the cup quarter-final). Their exploits have gone under the radar though, mainly in thanks due to arch rivals Dundalk going on an incredible European run.

But this group of City players have proven they can match up to and even beat a Lilywhites side which some are calling one of the best in League of Ireland history.

Cork know though that a trophy is crucial if they want to finally get some proper recognition for their performances, which have seen them be one of the most consistently good sides in the last few years.

Speaking to the assembled media after his side’s victory, Caulfield described how he felt a magnificent second half performance from this players proved to be a crucial element in their path to victory.

“The second half was awesome. Our tempo and intensity was very good and it helps when you have a striker like Sean Maguire, who scored two fantastic goals.

“It is great to be going back to the Aviva and for us and our supporters to have that to look forward to at the start of next month. But before that we have seven league games, which are massive for us.”

Caulfield has done a sensational job during this time as Cork City manager and after finishing second to Dundalk for the past two seasons, the signings this year which he has made have improved the team as a whole.

Maguire’s goals and the work rate in midfield of Greg Bolger have been among the huge additions to Cork throughout this campaign.

With City full of belief and confidence at the moment, Caulfield believes that his charges have an excellent opportunity to finally bring some silverware back to the banks of the Lee.

“Dundalk have set a phenomenal marker and we have been trying to push them. This year we feel are getting closer to them and the results have suggested that.

“We have a really good team with a really good attitude this year. Whether we can finally get out hands on a trophy remains to be seen, but I feel we have a much better chance of doing so this year.”

Before Cork can focus on the Aviva Stadium FAI Cup final, they have seven more ‘cup finals’ in their own right in the Premier Division. City will feel they need to win each and every single one of those to secure league glory.

One thing is for sure, Cork City look primed and better than ever to finally emerge from the shadows of Dundalk and win a trophy of their own.