Bolger determined to lead Cork to FAI Cup triumph

Greg Bolger knows exactly what is needed to come out the successful side of one of the biggest days in Irish football.

As someone who was a member of the St Patrick's Athletic side which won the FAI Cup in 2014, which was the Dublin side's first FAI Cup victory since 1960/61, the Cork City captain has proven he is someone who can perform when the pressure is on.

His experience and leadership will be crucial to City in the Aviva Stadium decider with Dundalk on Sunday, as the Leesiders seek to finally claim a piece of silverware.

For City, this has been a rivalry with a club which has seen the last three league titles and last years’ FAI Cup going the way of the Co Louth side.

Due to the injury of John Dunleavy, Bolger has stood in for the captain's role this season.

Speaking to the assembled media at the club's media day in the Cork International Hotel, which included Extratime.ie, Bolger states how he feels that a club the size of Cork should have more than two FAI cup successes.

"Cork have only won the cup twice and that is not near enough for the club the size of Cork City. We hope to change that on Sunday afternoon.

"At the start of the year, we said that we wanted to win one of the big trophies that are up for grabs and with the league title gone, here we are in the FAI Cup final again and this is our big chance to get our hands on the silverware.

"It would be nice to get a trophy for all of the hard work that we have put in to the season."

Bolger has been an outstanding addition to the Cork midfield and has helped contribute to close the gap between themselves and Stephen Kenny's dominant Dundalk side.

The chances are high that we will see a cracking cup final on Sunday, especially with the fact a much improved Cork side will be on show.

"Obviously Dundalk are a top team and they are well used to playing in big games and on the big stage.

"It is going to be tough either way against the likes of Dundalk, but our lads are desperate to make up for the disappointment of losing last year's match in extra time.

"Ì missed it last year but we wall want to get back there and put things right. The boys who played in last year's final are still hurting and we have chance to sort things out now."

Bolger will captain Cork in the Aviva on Sunday, determined to win a trophy and prevent Dundalk from claiming all the limelight in a 2016 season that has seen Kenny’s men at the centre of the country’s footballing public’s attention.