Cork City captain Alan Bennett: 'This season will always be about Ryan McBride'

Cork City captain Alan Bennett paid tribute to the late Ryan McBride and Derry City following his man of the match performance at Turner's Cross as City sealed the Premier Division title.

 

The Candystripes had cause for celebration themselves as the scoreless draw in Cork secured European football for another season for Kenny Shiels' side.

 

However they'll be understandably glad to see the end of a season where their captain, talisman and hometown hero Ryan McBride was tragically taken from them.

 

All football pales into comparison next to such unfathomable tragedy, but Shiels and his squad showed commendable courage to achieve sporting success.

 

 



“Just a point on Dery, them as a club,” Bennett said in his post-match interview with RTÉ TV.

 

“At the start of the season, they lost Ryan McBride – a teammate, a player. It's an absolute credit to them how they got together and put together a really good season.

 

“That's them qualified for Europe now. I don't think I would have been able to do it after losing a friend. Congratulations to them.”

 



Speaking to the media after the game, Bennett continued: “This season will always be about [Ryan McBride]. We felt like we wanted to do him justice as well.”

 

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