We’re about a half hour to kick off at Oriel Park and you just know this is going to be good.

Before we get down to it; what do you expect to see?

Looking for some pre-kickoff reading, are you? We’ve been building up to this evening all week:

• From there to here: Neal Horgan on Cork City’s ‘worst week ever’ as club battled for survival
• ‘I was told everything was banjaxed’ – Dundalk’s Stephen O’Donnell on his injury nightmare
• 17 signs you’re a hardcore Cork City fan
• Dundalk v Cork City: 7 matches that defined the title race
• Remembering the last time Dundalk and Cork City clashed in a league decider
• 17 signs you’re a hardcore Dundalk fan

We have reporter Barry Landy live at Oriel Park for plenty of reaction tonight.

And it’s very lively looking in Co Louth.

Our columnist Stuey Byrne is in a flare-effected gantry with Kenny Cunningham and Peter Collins. Quality.

John Caulfield is interviewed by RTÉ and he’s talking a good game, at least: ‘We’ve come for the win, there’s no point sitting back and playing for the draw because that normally doesn’t work out.’

Kenny Cunningham is ‘leaning towards’ Dundalk. These day-tripping Leesiders look they disagree:

Neil Doyle is the ref — let’s hope he’s not particularity conspicuous tonight.

Mark O’Sullivan absolutely steamed into a challenge right from the kick off and gave away an unbelievably early free-kick. This is going to be tense.

First real sight on goal for City as Gary Buckley played through Billy Dennehy but the Tralee man was unable to control it. ‘That’s a big chance,’ Brian Kerr repeats.

In the meantime, there’s been a couple of tasty tackles by Darren Dennehy and Dublin Hill man, Buckley in quick succession. Dennehy’s been booked after advice from the linesman, Damien McGrath who ran the line at the Nou Camp earlier this week.

This is a much bigger game, says Kerr. And he means it.

Blow for Dundalk after just nine minutes or so, Chris Shields was caught by a teammate on the knee around the centre circle and won’t be able to continue. Ruaidhri Higgins is on.

The home side are in control up to now however.

There’s some style on show in the stands tonight:

Morgan Treacy / INPHO Morgan Treacy / INPHO / INPHO

25 mins It’s settled down a bit and City have a foothold in this one with Fohn O’Flynn and Mark O’Sullivan combining well and Billy Dennehy looking dangerous down the wing. There haven’t been any major chances in some time however.

You’d be surprised if both teams ended the night with 11 men though, right?

Athlone have taken the lead at home to Bray so this is how the table looks as is. You can follow all tonight’s games here, of course.

Oh my word! Mark O’Sullivan went so close for City John O’Flynn drills the ball across the face of the goal and O’Sullivan turns it just wide.

That would’ve been like Liam Kearney’s goal in the 2005 decider against Stephen Kenny’s Derry.

Moments later, Stephen O’Donnell races onto a loose ball on the edge of the City box but Colin Healy does enough to put him off.

Stephen Kenny talks to Tony O’Donoghue on the sideline: “We knew that Cork would put in a few meaty challenges, we just need to be composed and patient.”

John Dunleavy mis-controls a ball and Massey gets a free shot on the City goal but McNulty gets down to it. Let off. 36 minutes gone.

A cat runs onto the pitch.

It’s John Caulfield’s chance to speak to RTÉ: “Frantic. It was always going to be but we’re still well in this game.”

Our man Barry Landy sends this from Dundalk: ”It’s an atmosphere like no other I’ve seen at  League of Ireland game at Oriel Park. The crowd haven’t quietened at all since kick off and although good chances have been at a premium, the touchline antics – of John Caulfield in particular – are keeping the Dundalk faithful entertained.”

Billy Dennehy hits the post! The Kerry man curled a low free-kick around the wall and clattering off the woodwork. 40 mins gone now.

Peep peep! It’s half time at Oriel Park and it’s scoreless.

Cork City will be champions in an hour if it stays like this.

What did you make of that?

Dermot Keely reckons Cork City will be the happier side and they’ve done the hard work during the week and ‘it’s showing’.

Turner’s Cross legend Dave Barry, meanwhile, singles out John Dunleavy for prise for containing former City favourite Daryl Horgan so far.

And we’re up and running again. 45 minutes to the title for one of these teams.

GOAL! Stephen O’Donnell rifles the ball past Mark Mcnulty.

The skipper who’s back after a long, long lay-off pops up with the crucial goal minutes after the restart. Higgins did well, then Towell laid it off and the former Cork City player is on the end of it.

There was appeals for hand ball in the build-up but it stands. that could be controversial.

Dan Murray is booked now too meanwhile for an off-the-ball trip.

One former City player thinks it was definitely a handball.

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Here’s the goal. It would’ve been harsh to give the free out, says Kerr:

It’s all Dundalk at the moment. O’Donnell flashed a header inches wide of Mark McNulty’s goal there.

The City midfield and is opening up and they’ll need to be mindful as they search for one more crucial equaliser this season.

Barry Landy’s in the press box for us.

“That wasn’t just any goal for the home support at Oriel,” he writes. “That is was scored by Stephen O’Donnell – told just six months ago his career was over – on his first start back in the team is extra special. Can Cork play Dundalk at their own game now?”

City subs: John O’Flynn’s off for Josh O’Shea and Gearoid Morrissey trots off for John Kavanagh.

Stephen Kenny is 20 minutes away from another superb title win. Tony O’Donoghue just asked him about Stephen O’Donnell’s comeback role

“He’s been terrific really,” he says. “He’s been unlucky not to get a second goal.”

Colin Healy has been at the centre of all City’s good work tonight but he just lashed a free-kick off the defensive wall there.

Rob Lehane is on for Gary Buckley, who moments earlier was lucky to get away with a challenge that should probably have prompted a second yellow card.

Donall Farmer / INPHO Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO

Dundalk are sitting back a lot and inviting City on, if you ask me. There’ll be a chance here for the visitors yet. 78 minutes on the clock now.

How do you see it going?

Billy Dennehy’s been booked now but not sure why. Possibly dissent.

City chance! John Kavanagh wraps his foot around the ball to produce a great cross. Rob Lehane gets on the end of it but it bounces just wide. 80 mins.

John Caulfield: “It’s a hard one but we’ll keep going.” He sounds completely distracted understandably.

GOAL! Brian Gartland forces the ball home for Dundalk!

Stephen O’Donnell wins the RTÉ man-of-the-match award after what Brian Kerr describes as a ‘sensational return’ and it’s hard to argue with it.

FULL TIME: Dundalk are champions after a wait of 19 years!

The party’s started. There’ll be a foot muscle injuries on the plastic pitch.

So that’s your lot. The Lilywhites become the first team from outside Dublin to get to double figures in league wins.  It ends a 19-year wait.

For Cork City, they’ll head home hurting but knowing that this has been a seriously impressive season.

Let us know your thoughts in the comments; we’ll have lots more reaction from Oriel Park later and over the weekend.