Cork City will go into Sunday's Sports Direct Men's FAI Cup final as clear underdogs but Alan Cawley believes they can take a "glimmer of hope" with them Aviva Stadium against double-chasing Shamrock Rovers.
City and the Hoops were at opposite ends of the Premier Division table this season, with the former relegated after a difficult season and the latter winning a fifth title in six seasons to set up a shot at a league-cup double.
But such is the disparity between the sides for the domestic game's showpiece event (live on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player), few are giving Cork a chance of pulling off an upset.
Like many, RTÉ soccer analyst Cawley, believes Rovers will prove too strong. But speaking on the RTÉ Soccer Podcast, the former Shelbourne and UCD midfielder does not think Sunday is completely a forgone conclusion.
"Everybody is looking as if it's going to be one-sided and obviously the league table will tell you that as well in terms of top and bottom but I do give Cork a slight chance," he said.
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"You look at Shamrock Rovers over the last eight games - now, nobody will remember this in ten years' time - the league ending, losing four of the last five, there was a bit of gloss taken off it just towards the end. They lost the two Eurooean games as well.
"So of their last eight, they've only won two which was Kerry in the semi-final emphatically and the Galway one last week to get them over the line (in the league).
"So I think if Cork are looking for anything to give themselves a bit of hope, that's obviously one area they can point towards."
Cawley added that the underdog tag in itself could also be a "big thing" that City can use as a motivating factor, as well as veteran striker Seán Maguire's hold-up play and valubable experience of big days at Aviva Stadium.
"I think on a one-off situation, a one-off game, I don't think you should disrespect any opposition and I give Cork a glimmer of hope, I really do," he added.
"I give them a chance, purely for those reasons and I think that's what Ger Nash will be pointing towards with his players as well."
In contrast, ex-Shamrock Rovers midfielder Richie Towell - a 2015 Cup-winner with Dundalk - had a more pessimistic view of Cork's chances against his former club.
"Alan's being very optimistic. I'm so fearful for Cork, honestly, going into that game," he said.
"I know they're going to bring a massive crowd. I hope that can help them because they're going to need all the help they can get.
"The Aviva is a massive pitch. I was only lucky enough to play there once in the Cup final against Cork and I absolutely loved how big the pitch was.
"Cork are going to try and keep it really compact but Rovers always create the overloads outside they do and I'm just so fearful that Cork won't be able to handle it."
Watch the Sports Direct FAI Cup final, Shamrock Rovers v Cork City, on Sunday from 2pm on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player. Follow a live blog on the RTÉ News App and on rte.ie/sport. Listen to live commentary on Sunday Sport on RTÉ Radio 1
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