Joe Gamble appointed Cork City assistant boss

Joe Gamble, the only player to win a full Republic of Ireland international cap whilst playing for Cork City, has been appointed to his hometown club as assistant manager.

Gamble will link up with Cork City boss Neale Fenn, with whom he soldiered at Turner’s Cross during the pair’s playing days in the mid-noughties.

Reacting to his appointment on corkcityfc.ie, Gamble said: “I’m ecstatic to be here. I left the club ten years ago as a player, so it has taken me ten years to get back here, which is just the way football goes. This has always been my club, and I didn’t think it would take this long for me to get back here! I have great passion for this club and my time here as a player was probably the most enjoyable part of my playing career. Obviously, I am now a coach and I just can’t wait to get going.”

Having made his debut for Cork City as an 18-year-old in 2000 after signing from local side Everton AFC, Gamble was quickly snapped-up by Reading and spent four years in England before returning to the Leesiders in 2004.

That was just in time to play a major role in Damien Richardson’s League of Ireland winning side in 2005, a team that also featured Neale Fenn.

Gamble also picked-up FAI Cup and Setanta Cup medals before departing Turner’s Cross initially for Hartlepool and later for Limerick and DPMM FC in Brunei.

The now 37-year-old cut his coaching teeth at Limerick before joining Alan Reynolds’ backroom team at Waterford.

Commenting on Gamble’s arrival, Neale Fenn added; “I know the type of character he is. He’s a winner and he’s also a highly qualified and respected strength and conditioning coach as well, which brings another dimension to the staff here. 

“It is important that we have a strong Cork core in the squad and the staff, and Joe is certainly one of those. He lives and breathes Cork City, and I know he will put his heart and soul into it.” 

Joe Gamble’s full international caps were won against Ecuador and Bolivia on a Republic of Ireland tour of the USA in 2007.