High-flying Drogheda United have rewarded manager Paul Doolin with a new three-year contract extension.

The Dubliner steered the club to its first significant trophy last December when beating Cork City to the FAI Cup and is now busy preparing his side for Saturday's Setanta Sports Cup final against the same opponents.

"It's a really good time for the town of Drogheda," said Doolin whose team also leads the eircom League after six games. "Drogheda deserves a top class team after playing second fiddle to Dundalk for so long.

"The club has gone from strength-to-strength in a short space of time. This is all part of a long term plan to bring much more success to the club. But the complete turnaround cannot happen in a single year .

"It is still only a short time since the club almost went out of existence but I'm satisfied that we are on the right track, not just for this season, but for the long term future of the club and the town."

Drogheda director Chris Byrne said the club would support Doolin in every way possible in a bid for further success.

Cork still have injury doubts ahead of the weekend's Tolka Park final.

George O'Callaghan (ankle), John O'Flynn (hamstring) and Michael Devine's (knee) particpation is still in the balance but Billy Woods (calf) is fit again and available for selection.

"It's looking better for John than George at the moment," said Cork assistant Dave Hill. "George has had intensive treatment on his ankle this week and a decision will be made closer to the time."

Goalkeeper Devine is being put through his paces in a bid for full fitness following a knee operation and is hopeful of playing although Mark McNulty, so impressive in deputising recently, is again standing by.

By lunch-time yesterday Drogheda had sold some 3,350 tickets and have received an additional allocation of 575 for the Ballybough end of the ground.

Cork City are close to selling out their initial 3,500 allocation and have requested a further 500 tickets.