John Caulfield: 'We'll have to build a new team - financially, we're not in a position to give long-term contracts'

Niall Newberry reports from the Aviva Stadium

Cork City manager John Caulfield is preparing himself for a busy winter transfer window after admitting that he’s likely to lose several players, including Kieran Sadlier, in the coming weeks.

He made the admission during a post-match press conference following the Leesiders’ failed attempt to become the first team since Shamrock Rovers in 1987 to win three FAI Cups in-a-row.

It was instead league champions Dundalk that claimed an historic double thanks to Patrick McEleney’s winner after Sadlier’s first-half penalty had cancelled out Sean Hoare’s headed goal.

“I felt it was an even match,” Caulfield said.

“There wasn’t a lot of clear chances in it. We got punished for a mistake in the second half, in a period where the game had opened up.

“That was the difference really but congratulations to Dundalk – they’re double winners.

“We were double winners last year, they’re double winners this year, so it’s disappointing, but you have to shake hands, take it and move on.”

Caulfield insists that the rebuilding process for Cork will have to begin without delay, with several first-team players, including Sadlier, almost certain to leave Turners Cross over the coming months.

“We’ll have to build a new team. Last year we won the double.

“We’ve four of those players playing in England – [Ryan] Delaney, [Stephen] Dooley, [Kevin] O’Connor and [Sean] Maguire – and no different will happen this year.

“That’s the position we’re in. That’s League of Ireland football and, financially, we’re not in a position to give long-term contracts.

“So in the next couple of weeks, I’ll be hoping to bring in a few players but it’s getting players that can enhance what we have and that’s always a challenge.

“Most of the guys that are out of contract are leaving, possibly one or two that may stay on, but a number of them are moving on and they’ve got better offers.

“It looks like he’s [Sadlier] had a few offers. It looks like he’s got a couple of offers from England as well.

“I’ll have a word with the lads tomorrow but I would imagine that a number of them are moving on.”

The Cork manager, who cut a pretty deflated figure throughout the press conference, expressed disappointment at his side’s failed attempt to retain their league and cup crowns this season.

“Every year in the League of Ireland is tough when you’re constantly changing players, it’s just reality and they are facts.

“We started the season to compete and try and retain the two trophies and we came second in both and we’re disappointed.”