John Caulfield has his eyes on a double as Cork City prepare to start their FAI Cup defence against Bray Wanderers on Saturday night [7pm].
The Leesiders edged out Dundalk 1-0 at the Aviva Stadium last Nvember thanks to Seanie Maguire's dramatic strike at the tail end of of extra-time.
Now sitting 17 points clear at the top of the Airtricity League Premier Division table with a game in hand, Cork look assured of at least one piece of silver this campaign. Caulfield however, wants more.
"We won the cup last year and we want to get another run going this year," he said.
"We were disappointed to lose on Monday [against Shamrock Rovers in the EA Sports Cup semi-final], but what do you do? You bounce back.
"At the start of the year, our aims were the league title, to do well in Europe and the FAI Cup. You are coming into the part of the season where you want to be, challenging for honours.
"There is a bit of magic about the cup. We know that from being in the Aviva last year and the year before.
"There is always a buzz about it and we know how good Bray are, so we will need a top performance. We are all looking forward to it because obviously we would love to retain the cup."
Bray will look for some solace in the cup after a bizarre, turbulent season.
Off-field turmoil has undermined their on-field exploits but Caulfield is braced for a tough test at the Carlisle Grounds.
"It has been a tough week because we were in Drogheda Friday night and get back at three in the morning after a tough game and then another tough game against Shamrock Rovers on Monday night and back late again," he said.
"We are back on the road again now and Bray will be difficult opponents; in a once-off it is always tight.
"Harry (Kenny) has done incredibly well at Bray. They are probably looking at us now thinking it is a real opportunity to get a cup run. They have kept all of their key players and they are back focused after a difficult few weeks, so I am sure they will be looking forward to the game."
Conor McCormack returns from suspension for the hosts, while Kieran Sadlier is also back having been cup-tied for the Shamrock Rovers game but Caulfield will definitely be without long-term injury victim Johnny Dunleavy and Alan Bennett who is suspended.
Finn Harps welcome Bohemians to Ballybofey tonight (kick-off 8pm) where domestic struggles will be put to one side, temporarily at least.
Harps defeated the Gypsies 2-1 in their recent visit to Donegal, a 2-1 victory last month and manager Ollie Horgan is planning on making personnel changes.
"We’ll see how things are when we meet this evening but we’ll certainly be looking at least a couple of changes," he said.
"It will be an opportunity for other players to get game time and stake a claim for more regular football in the starting team."
Shamrock Rovers begin their quest for a first FAI Cup in 30 years when they host Glenville FC (kick-off 8pm).
They come into the game buoyed by the 1-0 win over Cork City in the EA Sports Cup semi-final and will be heavily favoured to ease pass the non-legue side.
Manager Stephen Bradley will be without Luke Byrne, but does not envisage too many team changes.
"We’ll obviously look at Glenville and respect them. We think we know what way they’re going to play and how they’ll set up and their danger players," he said.
"It’s a great day for them coming to Tallaght Stadium, but we’ve got to make sure that’s where it ends and make sure we win the game. There won’t be many changes."
First Division Wexford FC will hope to put their previous cup outing out of their minds when they host Crumlin United at Ferrycarrig Park (kick-off 8pm).
They were beaten 5-0 at home to Waterford in the EA Sports Cup, and manager Damian Locke says they are treating the game like any other game this season despite being strong favourites to progress.
"Crumlin will play as if they have nothing to lose, with all of the expectation on us to win. I’ve said it many times that teams that are continuously competing for LSL and MSL titles are more than good enough to compete with First Division teams."
"We’ve approached training like every other week. They [Crumlin] will get all the respect they deserve on Friday night."
Struggling Limerick meanwhile are hoping for an upturn from their league results when they travel to First Division high-fliers Cobh Ramblers at Saint Colman’s Park on Saturday evening (kick-off 7.45pm).
The Shannonsiders have taken just one point from their last four SSE Airtricity League Premier Division outings and are more than familiar with the challenge that awaits.
The teams have met seven times competitively over the past 18 months, with Limerick making the trip to Cobh on five occasions in that period between the First Division, League Cup and Munster Senior Cup.
