Midseason Report Card - Cork City

Club: Cork City

Manager: John Caulfield

Stadium: Turners Cross

Highest attendance this season: Dundalk 6,746 (March 25^th)

Highest league goalscorer: Sean Maguire (16)

Mid-season position: 1st 

How we thought they would do

Going into the 2017 League of Ireland season we saw Cork City as one of the favourites to battle it out for the title along with Dundalk and Shamrock Rovers also possibly forcing them into the title picture.

Having just missed out the last two season’s finishing runners up to Dundalk, John Caulfield’s men will be looking to go one better and win the club’s first league title in 13 years.

We think that the future is looking bright for The Rebel Army with them winning the cup last year against their rivals Dundalk, the league title that eludes them should be coming sooner rather than later.

How they really have done

Cork have lived up to the expectation that everyone had of them at the start of the season coming out of the blocks fast winning their first 12 games of the League of Ireland campaign with a win at Tallaght Stadium being the standout result.

A draw against Galway United has not stopped their title charge at all with winning there next three league games.

With John Caulfield’s team on a 16 game unbeaten streak in the league and an 18 point lead over nearest rivals Dundalk it is really hard to see anyone catch them looking at their performances over the first half of the season.

Moment of the season so far

A 2-1 win over league rivals Dundalk has to be the standout moment for Cork this season a Carl Sheppard brace in front of a sold out Turners Cross gave Cork fans more belief that the league title will be coming to Turners Cross come to the end of the season it was also Cork’s 3^rd consecutive win over the Lillywhites.

Star Player - Sean Maguire

The Luton born hit-man has continued his fantastic form into the 2017 season scoring 16 league goals this season making him the league’s top goal scorer.

Since joining Cork from rivals Dundalk in 2016 Maguire’s goal scoring exploits have made clubs across the water take a look at the prolific striker with Preston North End securing his services for the end of July.

His goals have been having been of massive importance with him scoring at times when his team needs him with his brace against Rovers and his goal against Finn Harps on the first day of the season coming at a vital time in the game.

Surprise star player – Kevin O’Connor

A player who has made the left back position this season is own is Wexford native, Kevin O’Connor.

After making a slow start on Leeside O’Connor has developed into one of the finest attacking fullbacks in the league showcasing his ability that he has got.

O’Connor is a player who has fantastic physical abilities but also has a fantastic left foot and can up and down quite well it is very surprising that he doesn’t get the notice that he does deserve for his performances.

He has all the potential to turn into Cork’s first choice left back for years to come already making 19 appearances this season he is surely going to improve with the more game time he is going to get.

Young player - Ryan Delaney

Currently, on loan from championship side Burton Albion, Delaney has been the man who has filled the void made by Kenny Browne after his move to Waterford in the off season, He has been a key in Cork keeping 12 clean sheets this season eight which have been in the league. He has slotted in brilliantly beside John Dunleavy at the heart of the defence forming a brilliant partnership which is also a reason for the current unbeaten run that the Leesiders are on currently.

He also has an impressive goal scoring record for a defender scoring four goals in 20 games so far this season with his brace against Shamrock Rovers standing out from the four he has scored.

With his loan ending soon John Caulfield will want to extend his loan from Burton with talks apparently already happening to make it happen with it could be turning into a permanent deal which would be a huge coup for John Caulfield’s side if they can get Delaney over the line.

Star signing: Conor McCormack

Signed from Derry City in pre-season McCormack has put in some solid performances in for The Leesiders at centre half and right back but also has also impressed in his more familiar role of defensive midfielder.

His performances have not gone unnoticed by manager John Caulfield praising how he reads the game and also his ability to break up play.

McCormack standout performance for Cork this season would have to be against title rivals Dundalk where he put in a fantastic performance in man-marking former team-mate Patrick McEleney.

He has become a key figure in the Cork team since joining from Derry City his hard work rate and aggressive style has given more of an edge to John Caulfield’s side this season with him being compared to Chelsea’s N’Golo Kante by social media and his team-mates alike.

What they need to do in the transfer market

With a Sean Maguire exit happening at the end of July, John Caulfield will probably have to try and replace the in-form striker.

Caulfield has already said that he has lined up replacements if Maguire does leave the club during the July transfer window which will be a big blow for The Rebel Army’s campaign in Europe which starts at the end of June.  

If Cork could get someone with his quality, then they have a real chance of keeping a good distance between themselves and Dundalk come to the end of the season.

Where we see them finishing

With an 18 point lead going into the break it’s hard to see Cork not winning the league title from the position they are currently in.

Keeping Sean Maguire would be a massive boost for The Leesiders coming into the 2^nd half the season in terms of their push for the league title and also the European campaign which will begin at the end of June.

With the lead that Cork currently has at the top of the table, it is difficult to see Dundalk catching them who are there nearest competitors and I see John Caulfield’s team being champions come to the end of the season.