CORK CITY’S PLAYERS and management maintain they haven’t been afforded the respect their double-winning achievements deserve.
John Caulfield spoke about the lack of credit his team has received from the media and people involved in the game, while goalkeeper Mark McNulty echoed those sentiments in the Aviva Stadium mixed zone after the FAI Cup final triumph over Dundalk last night.
“It’s an unbelievable feeling,” McNulty said afterwards. “It’s hard to believe that you come into an FAI Cup final after winning the league by seven points, and we’re underdogs.
“A lot of people didn’t give us any credit for winning the league… Doubt us now. As Karl Sheppard would say, doubt us now. I think we deserve all the credit that we should be getting, to be fair.
Look at the boys inside. To win a double and get no credit is frightening.
“I’m delighted and emotional, the same as Benno [Alan Bennett] and a few lads in there,” he went on. “It’s never been done in Cork’s history, to win a double. In 2005, we came close.
“At times tonight, maybe people doubted us when we were 1-0 down in extra-time. Maybe they thought it wasn’t Cork’s night, but we knew we’re fit and strong and we will keep going until the end to get that equaliser
“In the last five minutes of extra-time, we were the ones pushing for the winner. They seemed to be happy for penalties, but listen, that’s the way it goes.
“I saved one penalty, Kieran Sadlier scores the winning penalty for us… Happy days.”
McNulty was recently criticised by Dundalk boss Stephen Kenny for his behaviour during Cork’s title celebrations — when he was filmed singing ‘Fuck the Lilywhites’ — but the 37-year-old keeper was quick to acknowledge what a fine team their rivals are.
“Dundalk are an unbelievable side to be fair — a great side,” he added. “But we have this thing over them the last two seasons and they can’t seem to beat us.
“Even tonight, as the game was going on I was watching them take off their penalty takers. I was like ‘These boys fancy themselves that it’s not going to penalties’ with the likes of [Patrick] McEleney and Jamie McGrath going off.
“But to be double champions is an unbelievable feeling. I can’t wait for tomorrow night in Cork and the homecoming with the league trophy, the FAI Cup trophy, the Munster Senior League trophy and the President’s Cup trophy. It’s not bad for a team that have got no credit.”
So, has he got any speeches or sing-songs lined up?
“I promised my wife I’d stay off that stage so I’d rather keep my promise. But wait until tomorrow. That’s all I’ll say, wait until tomorrow.”
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