Season Preview: Cork City

Cork City

Year founded: 1984
Stadium: Turner’s Cross
Manager: Tommy Dunne
Captain: Kevin Murray
Key Player: Gearoid Morrissey

2013 is a difficult year to predict for Cork City. 2012 was pretty cut and dry – the principle aim for the campaign, City’s first back in the Premier Division after being demoted in 2009, was consolidation, pure and simple.

And that is exactly what they got – the Rebel Army finished sixth in their maiden year back in the top flight of Irish football, and performed solidly, if not spectacular.

Finishing in the top six meant another thing aside form mere stability – football fans on Leeside had Setanta Cup football to look forward to this year.

The all-Ireland tournament has proven to be nothing but a rousing success for Cork. Not only is it fantastic preparation for the new league season but the club’s performance in the competition has been hugely promising. While some teams are still in pre-season, City have already played highly competitive games.

Now however the team is bedded in, and is well used to top flight football. It’s difficult to put a serious limit on what they can achieve.

On paper, Cork City look to have a very strong squad. Dunne has recruited well in the winter months, signing Darren Dennehy, Daryl Kavanagh, Denis Behan, Adam Rundle, Danny Furlong, and Sean Brosnan, as well as being able to keep a hold of his key men.

One of those key men who looks set for a big season is Gearoid Morrissey- the young midfielder was born and bred in Cork, and shone brightly toward the end of 2012. Throughout pre-season he has looked very sharp – talented on the ball, quick as a whippet, and eye for a pass and a mean shot – he could very well be the next big thing to come out of the League of Ireland.