Money is where the ‘mouth is

PORTSMOUTH are front runners to land Kieran Sadlier.

The skilful wide man played his last game for Cork City in Sunday’s FAI Cup final defeat to Dundalk at Aviva Stadium.

A number of clubs are chasing the out-of-contract ex-irish U21 and Mirror Sport understands Portsmouth are keen.

Shamrock Rovers are also interested in Sadlier, who became the first player since 1974 to score in every round of the FAI Cup in one season after netting from the spot in the final.

The Sussex-born star is returning home to England this evening to mull over a number of options available to him.

“I think everybody who is here or who is not signed up for next year will go away and just have a week to themselves,” he said.

“It’s been a long season – some of us have about 50 appearances. The Cup final was my 49th game.

“I’m only 24 and this is only my third full season to be playing. I want to take a break and recharge really.

“I’ll be going back to England with my family to have a break there before I make any decisions.”

With defeat to Dundalk being a disappointing way to sign off on his time with the Rebels, Sadlier added: “Everyone is gutted. But it’s fine lines. Two years ago we won in the last minute. Last year it went to penalties.

“What happens, happens. We wanted to win it and personally I’m gutted but congratulations to Dundalk.

“It’s the last game of the season and you want to win it, you want to go on your break on a high.

“But it’s happened now. Obviously from how good it felt last year, you wanted it again but it didn’t happen this year. It’s disappointing as I’ll be thinking about this defeat for weeks.”