HAVING BEEN RUNNERS-UP to Dundalk in each of the last three seasons, Cork City’s Steven Beattie insists that second-best will no longer suffice for the Leesiders this year.
The 2017 SSE Airtricity League season begins on Friday night, with City facing a long trip north to Donegal to face Finn Harps. At Oriel Park, Dundalk will begin their bid for a fourth consecutive Premier Division title against Shamrock Rovers.
Beattie, who moved to Cork from Sligo Rovers in July 2015, is anticipating “the most exciting league to date” and he expects the title race to involve more than just Dundalk and Cork City this time. However, he knows that only one outcome will satisfy John Caulfield’s side.
“As players, you’re down in Cork City to win leagues, you’re down there to win cups. That’s what the fans expect,” said Beattie, a versatile 28-year-old who has been playing at right-back for Cork City.
“John Caulfield is a winner. That’s why he brought us down: to win things. Personally it’s a failure if we don’t win the league, that’s being brutally honest with you. I think the lads in the dressing room feel the exact same way.”
