Stuart Byrne believes all the evidence is pointing towards Cork City having bridged the physical gap to reigning champions Dundalk this season.

The former Shelbourne and Longford Town midfielder joined Off The Ball and Dan McDonnell to review the latest action which saw last year's runners-up defeat Stephen Kenny's side after a couple of years where Dundalk had enjoyed the better of their head-to-heads.

"I think what we're looking at is Cork have definitely bridged the physical gap, the fitness gap and I think it's a real contest now between those two," he said. 

As for Saint Patrick Athletic's improvement after an opening day setback, he feels Keith Treacy's role in front of the back four is "paying dividends".