Caulfield determined to keep up with pace-setters Dundalk
By Daire Walsh
The Leesiders are second in the Premier Division, behind Dundalk, and manager John Caulfield says their clash with Derry City is their “biggest game yet”
Although Dundalk continue to set the pace at the top of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division table, Cork City’s fifth win on the bounce away to Bohemians on Tuesday evening ensures that they are still very much in contention with a third of the season now completed.
Speaking after their 1-0 victory at Dalymount Park, City boss John Caulfield felt that his side were deserving winners on the night, and emphasised the importance of keeping pace with the champions.
“We deserved to win and the most important thing for us is to stay with Dundalk at the top and not let them get away,” Caulfield said. “The league is beginning to split up now, and we have to stay with them going into the summer break.
“If we don’t stay with them, there isn’t going to be too many that will, and I don’t think too many people want that to happen. Hopefully we can drive on, but Friday [at home to Derry City] is our biggest game yet.”
With four consecutive triumphs under their belt heading into the game against Bohs, Cork were in a rich vein of form. Garry Buckley’s 47th-minute goal was ultimately the difference between the teams, and even though the wet conditions in the north Dublin venue made it a very physical contest, Caulfield was more than happy to take on this particular challenge.
“It’s our fifth win in a row, and that’s good going with what is a new team and we have hit the ground running,” he said. “It was a tough, physical game and both teams were committed to it, but I like that type of blood and thunder football.
“Seanie Maguire did great for the goal and Garry Buckley was in the right place at the back post to score. I think we caught Bohs’ unawares for it, but we were well worth the win.”
While Caulfield was pleased with the overall team performance on the night, he did reserve special praise for Gavan Holohan, who was handed his first league start since March 11 against Derry City at the Brandywell.
“We had big performances from Gavan Holohan and overall the team were outstanding. It was a good night for Gavan, because he hadn’t started a game for a long time, but he gave us plenty going forward,” noted the City manager.
“Our composure was good and our discipline was exceptionally good and that pleased me.”