John Caulfield hopes the first silverware of his spell as Cork City manager will inspire the Leesiders to greater things as they continue to chase league champions Dundalk next season.
Cork claimed their first Cup triumph since 2007 when Seán Maguire struck in injury-time in extra-time to deny Dundalk successive domestic doubles, and Caulfield believes this taste of glory will fuel his players to even greater heights next year and beyond.
"It's fantastic to get the winner so late," Caulfield told RTÉ Sport. "It was two heavyweights slugging it out.
"Dundalk dominated the first half, we dominated the second half, but in the end I think we just about deserved it.
"Dundalk are a fantastic team, but from the day we were appointed we wanted to bring a trophy back to Cork.
"We felt we needed a trophy to move on. We're trying to build year on year, we've got better every year, and obviously a bit of silverware will bring more belief in these players.
"But Dundalk are the team to beat again next year and we'll have to kick on."
John Caulfield hopes FAI Cup success can bring Cork more belief for next year https://t.co/F95DcfMvWe
— RTÉ Soccer (@RTEsoccer) November 6, 2016
