Cork City's top-flight status gives them the advantage says Waterford boss Keith Long

Cork City’s regularity of tests in the top-flight gives them an advantage for Friday’s promotion/relegation playoff at Tallaght Stadium, insists Waterford boss Keith Long.

That the Blues are a full-time outfit, the sole full-time club in the First Division bar champions Galway United, offers some degree of equality but their manager is adamant the Premier side are better conditioned.

“It comes down to levels,” asserted Long, logical in his explanation rather than resorting to cuteness in pressurising City.

“Cork have performed at a higher level than us every week during the season. I must be respectful of the First Division because there are so many good people working in it, so many honest players that turn up every week, some of whom are on amateur forms.

"However, the reality is that Premier Division is where everything is at; be it the media coverage is and overall attention. It's where you play in better stadiums against better opposition and tactically you get tested a lot more.

"Mentally, you don't play in front of many supporters in the First Division and the facilities aren’t great.”.

Long was drafted into the Blues post in late March, having reached an FAI Cup final and Europa Conference League third round over his eight years at Bohemians.

Promotion was the immediate goal set, even if Galway had a 10-point start on clinching the one automatic ticket, and it was well known stretching back to the summer that the playoff route was likely.

They needed extra-time to brush off Cobh Ramblers in the semi-final last week, setting up another Munster derby against City. Two big clubs but only one of them will be in the 2024 Premier Division after Friday’s decider – which will go to penalties if required.

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