THE CRAM MAGUIRE CUP

Cork's season has been a long & dispiriting slog but Seani knows if they can squeeze two wins in it will end in with glory

- BY GARRY DOYLE

SEANI MAGUIRE is hoping to leap from hell to heaven in the space of 90 minutes tonight and turn the worst season of his career into one of the best.

Because sometimes it only takes one game to make or break a season.

Footballers who operated at the highest level in England, back in the 1950s, would understand this, given how the FA Cup then was considered a bigger prize than the league title.

That has never been the case here but the fact FAI Cup finals are now played in the national stadium in front of 40,000-plus crowds has significantly increased the status of Irish football's premier knockout competition.

Maguire, 31, says: "I keep telling the younger boys especially that you are 90 minutes away from possibly the best week of your lives. Some of the players may never get that chance again.

"I have had a lot of highlights in my career so far.

"I played and scored for Ireland; I played nearly 200 times for Preston North End including some big derby games but playing in the 2016 Cup final, winning it with Cork City, is definitely in my top five moments.