FROM liquidation to champions of Ireland — Cork City’s fairytale journey to the top of domestic football was completed at Turner’s Cross last night.

The club, owned by its fans, has finally reached the promised land, drawing with Derry City to take them out of reach of second-placed Dundalk.

The result came after a nervous few weeks which saw their 17 point lead at the top of the table drop to just six.

The collapse of the Derrynane stand during storm Ophelia could not stop the game going ahead as a full house of 6,000 fans showed up to cheer John Caulfield’s men over the finish line.

“A huge sense of relief,” said Cork North Central TD and avid Cork City fan Jonathan O’Brien as he described the atmosphere after the game.

“I’m delighted for all the fans,” he added. “This club has been through a lot since 2005 and has gone through a huge transformation. We went through liquidation and we’ve come out the other side.

“John Caulfield built a squad, the supporters built a club and together, we’ve won a league title.”