Cork City manager Damien Richardson has insisted the dressing room is united and their focus solely on Sunday's FAI Cup Final encounter with Longford Town, despite a number of uncertainties surrounding the future of the club.

Damien Brennan, left, Longford Town captain, with Dan Murray, Cork City captain, at a prematch photocall ahead of the 2007 FAI Ford Cup Final, which will be taking place at the RDS Grounds, Dublin, on Sunday, December 2. Picture: David Maher / SPORTSFILE

City preparations for Sundays final have been overshadowed by contractual disputes within the club, with over half of the first-team squad currently out of contract. Richardson's future has also been the subject of some speculation as he has yet to put pen to paper on a new deal.

There was further controversy when it was announced that the FAI would not be allocating gate receipts or TV revenue to both competing clubs, and would instead be issuing a flat-fee of 100,000 to the winner and 75,000 to the runner-up. City for their part had threatened to boycott the final over the distribution of funds.

Manager Damien Richardson however, said that their sole concern is the matter of Sunday's outcome at the RDS grounds. Speaking to the Cork Independent, Richardson said, "I'm not sure if the financial package has been resolved. I'm only dealing with the football and Sundays final is the only matter with which myself and the team are concerned."

When broached on the issue of contracts, the City manager was quick to dispel any notion of unhappiness within the camp, but did stress the need to resolve the issue sooner rather then later. "There's lots of issues that need to be addressed and I'll be hoping to sit down and discuss the matter after Sunday. The club has undergone huge changes in recent years, and it's been tumultuous at times.

"But the attitude is right and the players are wholly dedicated to applying themselves to the matter at hand," he continued. "The dressing room is united and there's a drive and determination there.

They realise that this is one of the biggest games in the history of Cork City football club and they know how much is riding on it. Setanta and European Cup football is an essential motivating factor for the players, supporters and myself. We know we have the best supporters in the country and they deserve success."

Cork City play Longford Town on Sunday, December 2 at the RDS.

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