2020 Season Preview: Cork City

Manager: Neale Fenn

Stadium: Turners Cross

Players in: Cian Coleman (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Liam Bossin (Nottingham Forrest), Charlie Fleming (Cobh Ramblers), Rob Slevin (Waterford FC), Henry Ochieng (Wingate & Finchley FC), Dylan McGlade (Blyth Spartans), Conor Davis (Derry City), Corey Galvin (Waterford FC), Kyron Stabana (On loan from AFC Wimbledon), Reyon Dillon (Corinthians Casuals), Joe Redmond (On loan from Birmingham City).

Players out: Aaron Barry (Bray Wanderers), Conor McCarthy (St. Mirren), Colm Horgan (Derry City FC), Conor McCormack (Derry City), Shane Griffin (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Gary Buckley (Sligo Rovers), Pierce Philips (Cobh Ramblers), Karl Sheppard (Shelbourne), Eoghan Stokes (Unattached), Mark O’Sullivan (Unattached), Graham Cummins (Waterford FC).

Extratime.ie Key Man: Gearóid Morrissey

The former Blackburn Rovers youth academy player signed for City in 2010 and he has now been made club captain for the upcoming season.

The defensive midfielder – who was a key player in the City side who won the League and Cup Double in 2017 – will bring a wealth of experience to Neale Fenn’s side.  

In what will be a new look Cork City squad, Morrissey will be a key link between the club’s former glories and the promises of tomorrow.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: Daire O’Connor

The attacking midfielder- who hails from Ballyvourney in West Cork – signed for the Rebel Army in the winter of 2018 from UCD.

This followed a highly successful season with the Students, when he helped the club to the 2018 First Division title and the semi finals of the FAI Cup.

The 22-year-old was one of the main sources of inspiration in a troubled Cork City side last season, through his electric pace, close control of the ball, and cool finishing.

How they did last season:

League:

In a remarkable season filled with drama, the Turners Cross outfit finished eighth - their worst top flight season for twenty four years.

2019 saw City slip from five consecutive top two finishes into relegation contenders seemingly over night. Their struggling league form saw struggles all over the pitch, with just eighteen goals scored at the break and twenty seven conceded.

Last May, this poor run of form cost club legend John Caulfield his job, after five and a half seasons at Cork City.

The Rebel Army did enjoy a late season surge under new manager Neale Fenn, by beating reigning league champions Dundalk and UCD to secure safety.

FAI Cup:

Cork City’s quest for a fifth FAI Cup final in a row was halted with a 1-0 away loss to Galway United in Eammon Deasy Park in the second round.

That night, Conor Melody gave the Tribesmen their first win over Cork City in over twenty years, with his header on the stroke of halftime.

City’s cup adventures did bring about the first ever league with Cabinteely in the first round. That night, the Rebel Army needed penalties to overcome the First Division side following a 2-2 draw after extra time.

EA Sports Cup:

The EA Sports Cup saw the first competitive Cork derby in eleven years when Cobh Ramblers were drawn away to Cork City.

That evening, City won 4-1 in front of a large home crowd thanks to goals from Liam Nash, James Tilley, Gary Comerford, and Darragh Crowley, with Denzil Fernandes providing the consolation for the Ramblers.

City were knocked out in the quarter finals of the cup to Bohemians in a 2-0 away loss at Dalymount Park.  

What to expect this season:

The expectations remain quite clear at Turners Cross ahead of the 2020 season, and Neale Fenn will be acutely aware of that mandate.

Europe will be the underlying ambition for the Rebel Army, who will be looking for a place in next year’s Europa League qualifiers.

After this, the club will be sure to have an eye on both teams’ domestic trophies as they look to recover from a disastrous 2019. 

On the pitch, fans can expect an exciting Cork City team capable of commanding games and scoring goals. This is something which has showed repeatedly in their preseason preparations, with Fenn setting up with a possession based 4-3-3 which has seen City dominate games.

After playing UCC, Bandon, Cobh Ramblers and Longford Town, City have scored eight times and concede just once.

Title Odds: 50/1

First game: Shelbourne (Home).