Paul Doolin believes that Cork City can finish the 2009 season in a position that will guarantee them European football next year.

 

The Leesiders were recently involved in a battle off the pitch to settle a tax bill with the Revenue, which they managed to sort out right at the last minute.

 

Since then some players have left the club, but Doolin remains just as ambitious as when he took over at the start of the year.

 

The former Drogheda United manager knows that it will be a difficult task for his side to stay near the top of the Premier Division table, but that is the challenge he has set out for his players.

 

"We have to aim to stay up at the top of the table and qualify for Europe," said Doolin.

 

"And I believe this (clinching European football) would be a fantastic achievement considering everything that has happened."

 

Doolin wants to bounce back from Friday's defeat to Bohemians by picking up a win from their game with Shamrock Rovers on Tuesday at Turner's Cross.

 

"Regardless of Rovers' good form, we have to go into the game looking to claim three points," stated the Cork boss.

 

"I feel we are unfortunate not to have got something out of the game against Bohemians on Friday night, but now we have to focus on getting three points against Rovers.

 

"Shamrock Rovers come into Tuesday's game in a really good vein of form and will be tough opponents."