Cork tempt fate but still have the class

FAI Cup final / Cork City v Drogheda United: What with Dan Murray talking up the possibility of Cork City entering a period of dominance within the Irish game, and Damien Richardson observing that Drogheda United are not quite the finished article, the league champions haven't merely been tempting fate in the build-up to tomorrow's Carlsberg FAI Cup final at Lansdowne Road, they've been daring it to do its worst.

Their confidence, of course, is not groundless. That Cork are the better of the teams due to take to the field for the 3.15pm kick-off is more or less beyond doubt. League tables don't lie, and the 25 points that separated the clubs when the campaign wrapped up is a fair reflection of their performances these nine months.

Cup finals, though, are beasts of an altogether different breed, and few people know better than Richardson how the competition can leave you battered and bruised when you least expect it.

City, moreover, travel without two of the team that overran Derry in such mesmerising fashion at Turner's Cross two weeks ago. There have been times this season when Roy O'Donovan's contribution to the cause might have been questioned on the basis of his inexperience, but the league title decider wasn't one, and on the evidence of that night the 20-year-old's pace and creativity will be missed out on the right flank.

Danny Murphy's absence, meanwhile, is potentially an even more serious blow, with the former QPR left back having established himself as perhaps the league's best player in that position this season.

How Richardson will fill the gaps remains to be seen, but there are strong options in both departments. Former Shamrock Rovers player Billy Woods could slot into either position, but he will be challenged for the midfield berth primarily by Colin O'Brien and the left-back slot by Greg O'Halloran. So, for all his versatility, the 32-year-old might end up being the one to lose out.

Up front, Denis Behan could start if Neale Fenn has a reaction to his first serious training session yesterday since pulling a hamstring early in the victory over Derry, but Richardson said he was optimistic the 28-year-old striker would prove his fitness, in which case he will begin the game alongside John O'Flynn.

If City produce anything like the display they managed against Derry, then it is desperately hard to see how Drogheda will live with them on what is a much bigger pitch than Paul Doolin's men have grown used to.

But they have their own ability to cause opponents problems, and if Dan Connor and his defence perform solidly then it should be an interesting and, one hopes, an entertaining encounter.

In the league campaign it was the goals conceded column that did for United, and they are not helped tomorrow by the absence of one of their more capable operators in central defence, Jason Gavin. Like Keith Fahey, the former Middlesbrough and Shamrock Rovers defender is cup-tied. So Graham Gartland is expected to partner the club's player of the year, Stephen Gray, in one of the contest's key areas.

More, perhaps, depends on Connor than anyone, however. The former Waterford United goalkeeper has been unconvincing under high balls this season. Any weakness in that department is likely to be ruthlessly exposed.

United's great strength, on the other hand, is their ability to get down the flanks, with both full-backs - former Bohemians pair Simon Webb and Damien Lynch - capable of beating opponents and crossing the ball.

In central midfield, where either Paul Keegan or Stephen Bradley is likely to partner Gavin Whelan, Doolin's side is decent too, although whether it can match City's outstanding partnership of Joe Gamble and George O'Callaghan remains to be seen.

O'Callaghan's free role does generate opportunities for opponents around the middle of the pitch, but the 26-year-old's willingness to cover back should not be underestimated. And Gamble's ability to read danger and break up moves has been key to the southerners' success.

Having conceded just 18 goals in 33 league games and three on the way to this final, it might seem foolish to say that City can be vulnerable at the back. But their centre-halves can struggle when strikers get between them.

Behind them, Mick Devine has been as consistent as any member of the Cork side this year, and so Declan O'Brien and Sami Ristila have their work cut out up front for United.

With more than 25,000 expected for the game, which will be preceded at noon by the women's cup final between last year's runners-up Dundalk and Peamount United, it has the potential to be quite a day.

Drogheda are seeking their first major trophy and Cork are looking to complete the first double by a team from the city since 1951. The only sure thing is that one will get their wish, for the game will go to extra-time and penalties if necessary.

Fate, at the end of the day, may indeed favour United, but most of the footballing indicators suggest a little piece of history is there for Cork to win or lose.

Final facts: Records and line-ups

PREVIOUS FINALS

CORK

1989: Lost to Derry City 1-0 in replay.

1992: Lost to Bohemians 1-0.

1998: Beat Shelbourne 1-0 in replay.

DROGHEDA UNITED

1971: lost 3-0 to Limerick in replay

1976: Lost to Bohemians 1-0

PROBABLE TEAMS

CORK CITY: Devine; Horgan, Murray, Bennett, O'Halloran; O'Brien, Gamble, O'Donovan, Kearney; O'Flynn, Fenn.

DROGHEDA UNITED: Connor; Lynch, Gray, Gartland, Webb; Robinson, Keegan, Whelan, Sandvliet; Ristila, O'Brien.

Cork City v Drogheda Utd, Lansdowne Road, Sunday, 3.15

On TV: RTÉ 2