It may be Cork City’s first time at the Aviva Stadium on Sunday but striker Karl Sheppard wants to make it third time lucky after his previous Lansdowne Road experiences.
Sheppard was in the Shamrock Rovers team beaten 4-0 by Liverpool in an exhibition match last May and also featured for a League of Ireland XI hammered 7-1 by Manchester United back in 2010.
The 24-year-old will be aiming to help the Leesiders outwit double league champions Dundalk in the showpiece Irish Daily Mail FAI Cup final.
He told RTÉ Sport: “It’s going to be something special. I’ve played there before and both times I’ve got absolutely battered by United and Liverpool so hopefully it’s something that won’t happen this weekend.
“I can’t wait for it. Ever since we got into the semi-finals and got through – as you can see from our performances in the league, they sort of wavered, everyone was just buzzing for the final.
“This Sunday can’t come quick enough.”
Former Ireland international Alan Bennett, 34, knows their opponents are favourites but is quietly confident.
“They’ve had a phenomenal season,” said the former Reading and Wimbledon AFC defender.
“We’re definitely going up there as underdogs but anything can happen on the day. We’re backing ourselves and we’ll have a good go off it.”
Cork City v Dundalk is live on RTÉ2, RTÉ Player and RTÉ Radio 1 on Sunday, kick-off 3.30pm.
