Dundalk cruise shines light on extent of Cork’s decline

HOW has it come to this for Cork?

That was the question that lingered after another humbling night for Neale Fenn’s side.

After five seasons where showdowns between these sides decided the destination of trophies, it has quickly descended into a non-event.

Indeed, the natives grew restless with Dundalk for their sloppiness during spells of a match where they never looked to be in any danger.

From the early minutes, the gulf was apparent. Only their skipper, Gearoid Morrissey, has experience of what this game was.

His colleagues are finding their feet in the league and it’s clutching at straws to suggest that a kinder outcome than Friday’s six-goal thrashing in Tallaght represents progress.

It’s going to be a long, hard year. Over the weekend, the extent of the club’s financial difficulties was made clear at an information meeting which detailed that the sale of clauses on Alan Browne and Sean Maguire was necessary for the club to receive a Premier licence.

Preston owner Trevor Hemmings wants to take over the supporter-run club that has paid the price for questionable budgetary decisions when they were going toe to toe with Dundalk. It’s a sobering tale.

While Cork have scoured the lower regions of English football for bargains, it has emerged that Dundalk made an enquiry about bringing in Troy Parrott on loan. It was knocked back but it illustrates Dundalk’s level of ambition.

We didn’t learn too much about Vinny Perth’s side as they made it three wins from three. Michael Duffy’s first-half volley, Pat Hoban’s penalty after the hour mark and a Jordan Flores (pictured) stunner from 25 yards reflected their dominance.

Friday’s trip to Tallaght should be a proper heavyweight clash. Cork, by contrast, face a crucial meeting with Finn Harps. Quite the fall.

DUNDALK – Rogers, Gannon, Hoare, Cleary, Leahy; Shields, Flores (Sloggett 67); D Kelly, Smith (Patching 71), Duffy (Lotefa 86); Hoban.

CORK CITY – Bossin, Stabana, Redmond, Oluwu, Hurley; Ochieng, Byrne; O’Connor (Galvin 71), Morrissey, (Holland 83) McGlade; O’Brien-Whitmarsh (Murphy 86).

REF – P McLaughlin (Donegal).