City Dunne and dusted in transfer market

Cork City manager Tommy Dunne says he has all his work in the transfer market done, and is now just focussing on the season ahead with the players at his disposal.

Dunne was speaking immediately after the City’s impressive 4-0 victory over Cliftonville in the Setanta Cup. He was delighted with the result and also his squad’s pre-season preparations in general.

“I’d say we’re pretty much done and dusted now, we’ve a budget that we have to stick to, and we’ll be sticking to it.

“From our side of things it was another fantastic game. We are still in pre-season, so getting the result we got was a real bonus. For me, the main thing was that everybody got through healthy, and that it was a really good competitive game.

“I think we’re in much better shape than what we’ve been for a while. Last year was probably a little bit of a learning curve for myself and for the boys.

“They now know that you have to work hard to get yourself to a certain level, and I think that all the boys are in a very good condition, bar maybe one of two that came in late, but all of them are fit, strong and healthy.”

One of the highlights of the evening was Ian Turner’s performance, which included a sensational free-kick to put the home team 3-0 in front on the stroke of half-time. But was he supposed to be taking it?

“If he keeps doing that he can take them all year, that’s for sure, and he was unlucky that he didn’t get a hat-trick with a left footed strike in the second half.”

Cliftonville manager Tommy Breslin made nine changes from Saturday’s 2-0 win over Donegal Celtic, and his opposite number recognised the need to rotate players.

“At the end of the day, I can understand from the Tommy Breslin side of things that they have a heavy fixture load. It was a bit like in 2010 when we were playing in cup games and we had to mix and match now and again.

“Both teams tried to play football, and I think it was a really good spectacle. It was good for people to come and watch – we were creating chances, and scored some really good goals.

“You can sit in and watch the rubbish on the box, or you can come out here and see some real football!”

The performance of veteran Dan Murray was another bonus – fresh after putting pen to paper for an amateur contract, the centre-back looked very comfortable after spending the bulk of last season on the sidelines with a groin injury.

“I was talking to Billy [Woods, City’s assistant manager] and he said that he looked like a Rolls Royce out there at one stage.

“We know that Dan Murray is a top player, he was just unfortunate last year that he had a horrific injury to deal with. I think it shows the character that the man has, that his willingness to want to play for this club has never been in doubt, and he’s shown it again this year. We’re delighted.”

Next up for the Leesiders is a short trip to Cobh Ramblers and a friendly clash with the league’s returning club on Friday night in St. Colman’s Park.

“We were there ourselves [in the First Division], we know exactly what it’s like,” Dunne says of Ramblers. “I hope that Dave Hill gets them going and that they do well, because Ramblers have always had a tradition. I’m just thankful they’re back in it because it means I’ve somewhere to go on a Saturday night!”

“Everybody that didn’t play tonight will get the full match Friday. I don’t know how the kids are with regards to their fixtures next week, but I might try to get a couple of them involved as well.

As for the second leg: “Next Monday we’ll have to wait and see who’s available – Denis [Behan] probably won’t be available for the competitive game, but we’ll definitely try and get the full 90 out of him on Friday.”