An open Letter to Tom Coughlan

Dear Tom Coughlan,

On behalf of a large portion of Cork City supporters, League of Ireland supporters and general sports fans around this country, I would please ask you to leave Cork City Football Club.

The recent farce last Friday, which has become known as the “Busgate” incident, was the last straw for a lot of people. How dare you cut two hours preparation from an important match and leave the players and fans worry if there would actually have been a match. Was this part of your Six Steps to Europe?

Unfortunately, this latest farce is only one in a long line of episodes that is destroying this football club. The €439,000 winding-up order that should really have seen Cork City Investment FC Limited closed down, the constant non payment of wages to players and staff, breaking FAI licensing regulations throughout the season and much more that would be difficult to fit in this letter. Oh, and contrary to your recent statement claiming all staff have been paid in full and up to date, there are still current and ex-employees looking for what they are owed. Former player, Gareth Farrelly, who has filed the latest winding-up order petition, being one example.

This has been going on for too long and it is about time the fans of football in this city stood up.

Tom Coughlan: You have showed that you are unable to manage a sustainable football club in Cork. Please leave, before our club is confined to the history books.

City Till I Die,
Paul Barry


A Tom Coughlan,

Ar son píosa ard do thacadóirí Cathair Chorcaí, daoine ó Chorcaigh agus tacadóirí ginearálta an Sraith na hÉireann, más é do thoil é, fág d’áit mar úinéir “Cork City Investment FC Limited”.

Bhí an scannal, a chuirtear an “Busgate” ar anois, ag briseadh foighne na tacadóirí an ionad. Mo náire thú ag gearradh dhá uair ullmhúcháin ó na himreoirí agus ag fágaint gach duine ag smaoineamh an mbeadh an cluiche ar siúl.

Faraor, is rud amháin é seo i liosta ollmhór do rudaí mícheart a ndearna tú, ó tháining tú chiug an chlub. Ní mór do dhaoine smaoineamh ar an d’ordú foirceanta a tháinig i Mí Iúil, an dara cheann a bhfuil chun teacht le linn lá agus dhá sheactain agus na himreoirí agus fostathóirí a bhí fágatha gan a dtuarastail. Tá a lán samplaí eile, ach ní fheadfainn iad go léir a chuir isteach sa litir seo, gan an spas go léir a úsáid.

Tá rudaí mar seo ag tarlúint ro-mhinic agus tá sé in am na tacadóirí do pheil/sacar sa chontae seo a sheas suas.

Tom Coughlan: Tá tú tar éis taispeáint nach bhfuil tú in ann club peile a rith go sábháilteach sa chathair seo. Más é do thoil é, fág an club seo, roimh a théann siad i dtreo Cork Hibs, Cork Celtic agus a lán iarchlub Chorcaí atá tar éis dunadh síos.

Is mise le meas agus Cathair Chorcaí go dtí go bhfaighim bás,
Pól de Barra

Tommy's No Saint

I must apologize to those who were reading this. Currently I've been working hard on a number of other projects and haven;t had the time to update the blog. As I'm sure you can relate to I always have good intentions of updating but I seem to be suffering a bout of writers block lately.

To keep you all updated I will share an article from my friend Paul Barry. I won't give much away, great article and definatly worth a read during the work lunchtime!

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Monday, the 27th of July. An ordinary day for the vast majority of Ireland, with a nice bit of sun for a change. The weekend was finished, so back to work for many, but with a bank holiday weekend to look forward to. For a small band of football supporters in Cork, however, it was the day football had died – or at least we thought.

At roughly ten minutes past two in Dublin’s Four Court, Justice Mary Laffoy had deemed Cork City Football Club insolvent and issued a winding up order from the revenue. She had deferred the case several times previously, but with the court holidays fast approaching, she was forced to issue the order.

I was present in Court Nine, on a day that will forever stain my memory. I had stayed overnight in Dublin, having returned from the 1-1 draw between City and Derry in the Brandywell a day previous. A night of moderate success, having been trailing at half time, was capped off by the ever brilliant relations between the supporters based on opposite sides of the island. Having spent most of the last 24 hours travelling, I was tired, but extremely anxious of the case. I was still confident of safety, though, as were the club and many other fans. The judgement that arrived was simply heartbreaking. But for an overwhelming sense of anger and contempt, I would have completely broken down in tears.

Who was at fault for what we all believed to be the end of yet another soccer club in Ireland’s second city? The failure for the Cork public to show their support? Our players and staff who received such high salaries the previous two seasons? No. Getting crowds through the gates has always been a problem. The 3,000 average attendees at matches this year has been the general figure for many seasons. The players, although whose wages have been a contributing factor to our high level of debt, cannot be blamed. What alternative had they? No employee the world over would seek a lower paying contract, so why should footballers be any different? The main reason to the near demise of this soccer team lies with sub standard financial management. The book stops with the owner.

Tom Coughlan arrived with a business plan of “sustainability” – a quote he has mentioned many times since taking over last November. He felt it was imperative to keep staff wages at a minimum and reduce overall costs within the club. Why then, did he allow newly appointed manager, Paul Doolin, to partake in what was a busier transfer market for Cork City than 2008, which saw the club enter examinership? Prior to the new season, a mere five players were contracted. By the opening match against Sligo Rovers, there was a squad of 20 full time professionals – four above the 16 quota Coughlan had stated during pre-season. Included were the newly signed trio of Dan Connor, Fahrudin Kuduzovich and Stephen O’Donnell. Anyone interested in League of Ireland football would know that these would be the higher earners within the country. Yet they were allowed to be signed for a cash strapped club, who had barely avoided extinction just a few months earlier. How exactly does one comprehend a decision like this?

Following the very lucky survival of the club, many hail Coughlan as the saviour. While he undoubtedly had some part to play in keeping the club afloat, I would hold back on such praise. Firstly, he had the benefit of a very sympathetic judge. She could have called for the winding up order as early as May, but gave the club plenty of time to raise the cash needed. She was very slow in agreeing with the revenue and ultimately gave City the time it needed. Secondly, a huge amount of credit must go to Mickey Harris – brother of club secretary, Jerry. The taxi driver, who is a huge supporter, took it upon himself to write a letter Dermot Desmond – a Corkman, who owns nearly 40% of Glasgow Celtic. Desmond then contacted Cork City and the two sides will now play a money spinning friendly on the 9th of September. Thirdly, the players and staff, who have, as mentioned previously, agreed a one week deferral in wages to allow the money going towards paying the tax bill. Some of these people have yet to receive their July salaries in full, along with with August payments that were due last week. And finally, the very support base of the Turners Cross club played a huge part in its survival. The fans and the trust, FORAS, simply wouldn’t say know and all played a huge part in keeping the side from folding on its 25th birthday.

Now, let’s have a look at Tom Coughlan – who, might I add, seemed very indifferent following the issuing of the winding up order. A statement on the club website read that: “Cork City FC has made payments to the Revenue totalling €102,000 and is continuing to work to clarify the exact amount outstanding.” This turned out to be untrue, as the Revenue were still left seeking the full amount they had originally requested. The owner also told FORAS, when asked that their funds could be released to the club pending a members’ vote, that “it would be a waste of time”. Two days after the general meeting in which this vote could have taken place, Coughlan contacted the trust and requested what was offered. FORAS had to decline, however, as a general meeting would not have been allowed to have been called in time for the return to the high court on July 31st, as society rules state that longer notice must be given. The former property developer did admit that he “made a balls of it”. However, it’s very easy to admit mistakes that have already been found out.

Since Cork City were miraculously saved, what exactly has Coughlan done to reduce costs? Despite his constant efforts in attempting to sustain things and stating that “we must cut our cloth”, how exactly is he doing this? Merely four players have departed the club, to help sooth the wage bill. Four from a squad of 24 (albeit, several working on part time or amateur terms) isn’t enough. When you take into consideration, the off-the field staff, who captain Dan Murray explained was the highest for any Irish club, it raises the pool of employees to roughly 50. So, roughly 10% of workers are now off the monthly salaries, which are still estimated to be in the region of €100,000. And the players and staff are still going unpaid. Although Coughlan has repeated many times that we need higher gates so the employees can receive what they are owed, not a single fundraising task has been undertaken by the club to pay them. Nothing but the absolute bare minimum is being done to the servants who have sacrificed their livelihoods to keep football alive in Cork.

So, I say to the public who believe that Tom Coughlan is the saviour and that Cork City are safe – this is far from the case. Cork soccer is still trapped deep in the woods and far from safety. Huge initiatives must be undertaken and led by the current chairman, lest we be forced to witness similar events to those on the 27th of July, where, next time, we may not be so lucky.

Number 7, Your time is up

I’m sitting in the campsite library, bathed in sunlight in the heart of France, kicking back listening to music and taking it easy but yet I’m troubled, very troubled. Another court case was expected to pass with the same tedious inevitability, another two, possibly four weeks and another court case, but what has transpired is much worse.

TNB never seemed like the permanent owner of the club, a maverick, a spoofer. But now it seems like no amount of spoofing or lying will get us out of the situation we find ourselves in currently. €400,000 in 3 weeks is a daunting task for bigger clubs, but for a club the size of Cork City it is nigh on impossible, and it seems like the club that has inspired and brought people together for over two decades will come to a premature end. The man that promised a ‘transparent’ club has brought nothing but lies and trouble to a club, and a city that has seen it all too many time before. A great trip to Galway saw awful football, some masterful play by Faz and Colin, two goals and three points secured. Then yet another shocking and pitiful effort saw us succumb to a late Ryan Guy goal, 0% against St Pats at home, simply not good enough against a team struggling in mid table. Soon talks of 100k for Colin Healy and Denis Behan were thrown about, Hartlepool United the interested party. Following the court case we saw the pair depart for half that amount. Coughlan once again taking the easy and selfish way out (This following Kevin Doyle’s departure to Wolves that would have earned the club enough money to stay stable for another year had our Chairman shown some patience) That Pats game is most likely my last game watching City and it brings to an end more then 15 fond and memorable years with the Rebel Army.

It is most likely a new club will be set up, with new staff, players, chairman, kit, crest, you name it. The hard work of those travelling and working with City will have been for nothing, yet another Leeside club consigned to the memory banks, yet another huge amount of time and money thrown down the drain. When the new club is set up how long will it last? How can we say that the same mistakes won’t be made? It seems that another dark period in Cork soccer has dawned and the famous Cork sporting public will be too busy watching re-runs of last years Premiershit games to shed a single tear. The amount of friendships and relationships that have been formed through Cork City are endless and without a common bond it seems that these will wilt and die, along with the club that has formed them.

Over the coming weeks no doubt the supports will do everything and anything to prevent the club going under, but one can’t help but feel that these are feeble efforts to plug a sinking ship that has . 10 months ago we were singing that we’d never die, but now it seems like the gravestone is carved and all that’s left is the burial

In loving memory of Cork City FC

Murdered at the hands of a rouge chairman following financial difficulties. All associated with it will miss it dearly

RIP 1984-2009

Connor Fucked it Up

Oh how cruel ambition can be

A few weeks ago we were high flying in the league, top by three points and dreaming of league success come November, but now our season is virtually over, knocked out of both cup competitions and realistically out of league contention bar an at of God. The Dundalk game was another hugely disappointing night.

I arrived early to help set up flags and the display that would take place later when the teams took to the pitch. We met a Dundalk bus on the way down and one fan showed us his break-dancing skills in the most inconvenient place, backing up angry motorists and generally causing a scene, while another tried to get his message across to the foreign Corkonian peoples, like. Ryan and I took a trip down to the St. Annes end and concluded that it was by far and away the best stand in the stadium, and possibly the country for a singing section to reside, but alas we stay in the soulless and lifeless Curragh Road End.

The teams took to the pitch and I learned about the physical strains of waving a TIFO flag, those things are heavier then they look! The team didn’t look up for it from the word go. They had lost the FAI Cup 2^nd round replay in extra time in Sligo the previous Tuesday and it seemed that the forthcoming two week break were dominating their minds. There was obviously something clouding Dan Connor’s mind that night as his decision making was nothing short of appalling, that wasn’t helped by awful defending by Greg O’Halloran and Dan Murray (shock horror) and the back 5 that had been so solid during the unbeaten run was now crumbling like a flake.

It was only a matter of time before City went behind and it was a combination of poor marking and horrific goalkeeping that led to the Louth men’s first, a cross from the left found an unmarked Declan O’Brien, but before he could get a shot away Connor rushed off his line like a headless jackeen chicken with gloves and proceeded to give O’Brien a jumping hug, ‘Fabio’ went down like a sack of spuds and the resulting penalty was dispatched with some aplomb by Chris Turner.

Things went from bad to worse for the Leesiders when Shane Duggan’s petulance earned him a red card, he threw the ball at Thomas Heary and was soon sent walking back to the home dressing room with his tail between his legs. Then it was two, Connor once again decided to practice his 30 yard dashing techniques at the most inopportune time, once he had reached Michael Daly he pulled out and Daly showed the ex-Drogheda netminder how to keep cool under pressure when chipping the ball expertly into the far corner.

Half time and the chorus of ‘What a load of rubbish’ couldn’t have been more deserved for a team showing themselves up defensively on all to many occasions.

The second half was a completely different affair. Denis Behan was brought on at half time replacing the awful O’Halloran and injected some life into a sombre affair, and the chant of ‘Lets pretend we scored a goal’ and the resulting mayhem (Mr. O’Keefe take a bow) injected much life into a crowd that resembled a funeral procession rather then a football crowd.

Cillian Lordan gave way for Faz Kuduzovic (Cork City’s Poker Face none the less) while Alan ‘Van Persie’ O’Connor was relieved of his duties, Stephen O’Donnell taking his place. City played with much more gusto and passion, ignoring D(F)oolin’s defensive tactics and playing the ball on the deck, which on the surface didn’t seem like the best option but clearly Dundalk didn’t like it and most importantly didn’t expect it.

Behan’s hard work came to a head when he thundered a shot into the top right hand corner from just inside the box, but at that stage there was only 8 minutes left and despite City’s best effort the late surge was once again unrewarded. But in the overall picture we didn’t deserve it (Despite what D(F)oolin said in the post-match interview) Dundalk came with a plan and our one dimensional tactics played straight into their hands. That coupled with a horrible day between the sticks for Dan Connor and in defence by O’Halloran were the reasons for yet another pitiful home performance, and result.

The only highlight of the evening was saving 5 penalties in the Curragh Road goal after the match, if only TNB was watching!!

The following day hosted Neal Horgan’s testimonial, a great player and a true gent Hoggy couldn’t have asked for a nicer day, cloudless skies and a blazing sun oversaw the best of Cork football, past and present and although the game was quite disappointing as a spectacle the day in general was a brilliant and entertaining event and a fitting tribute to a City legend for a decade and for the years to come, I personally wish Hoggy every success in his future law endeavours and who knows, some day he might line out in a City strip again?

Summer Sun

So the Junior Cert is finally over!! And with its end comes a summer of away trips, holidays and that horrible two week break. But the elation of finishing the exams has been sharply contrasted by the worry and disappointment that has surrounded the club these past few weeks. Following the loss to Bohs the team butchered their chances of getting back to winning ways, and in my opinion their chances of winning the league by succumbing 2-1 on the banks of the Boyne to a resilient Drogheda and Alan Matthews.

That was followed by a truly awful performance in front of a fleeting City crowd where a feeble offensive effort contributed little to our 0-0 draw with Shamrock Rovers. Negative performances coupled with poor results had the ‘famous’ Cork sporting public heading for the exits, possibly never to be seen again this season? Money (once again the figure is a mystery) was coughed up to the taxman on Wednesday the 10^th in preparation for the court case that following Monday. That Friday a rest byte from the league woes could have been achieved in the form of progress in the FAI Cup, but alas in front of a tiny crowd two leads were thrown away against Sligo Rovers, as a result of poor defending and poor goalkeeping. That being said the football was of a high quality and a positive note for City was the well taken goal by Shane Duggan, defiantly one for the future.

We were given another 4 weeks by the high court and Tommy No Bobs can once again breathe a sigh of relief. The ‘saviour’ of City has amassed a bill rumoured to be around €400k from PAYE/PRSI and tax on the winnings of the Setanta Cup and in my opinion under the guidance of this messer our beloved club will just lurch painfully from crisis to crisis. The bad feeling around the club was compounded further as our poor form continued, dumped out of the cup by a Rafael Cretaro goal at the Showgrounds.

The last game until the midsummer break is this Friday when we play our 5^th home game in 5 weeks, welcoming relegation battlers Dundalk to the Cross. The venue will play host to another special game the following day. City stalwart, legend and full back Neal Horgan will pit Cork City against a Cork exile/legends team on Saturday the 21^st June at 4.30 for his testimonial. The exile/legends team will include the likes of Dave Barry, Kevin Doyle, George O’Callaghan and will be co-managed by Damien Richardson and Pat Dolan, entertainment in itself!!

In the next update there will be a summery of the season so far as well as reports from the Dundalk and testimonial games so until then auf wiedersehn

First is the Worst, Second is the best...

One of the worst performances of the season came last Friday when we played host to Bohs.

With about 5 and a half thousand packed into the Cross and the prospect of going 6 points top one felt the team would be fired up for the match. A great display was organised before the match by the members of 'Commando's 84' . The game started and almost immediatly we hit problems, Joe Gamble off after three minutes, the knock he picked up last week at Bray rearing it's ugly head once more. Former Bohs midfielder Stephen O'Donnell came on in his place. We started brightly all the same and almost scored when Ken Oman's hack off a Dennehy cross blazed just over the bar. Dan Murray then headed wide from the resulting corner. But that was just about as good as it got for the Rebel Army as it went downhill from there. The first half petered out as Bohs siezed the posession.

After the second half it was put to good use. First, Jason Byrne went on a good run down the right hgand flank, skinned Danny Murphy and contnued into the box. But Dan Connor was on hand at the near post to make a smart save from a narrow angle. This gave the Gypo's yet more momentum and only a fine Connor save prevented Byrne scoring from close range.

The ex-Drogheda netminder's kicking was apalling, and his poor kickouts were building pressure on the City back 4, and the Irish International Byrne was not to be undone, a moment of utter confusion among the City ranks following a disgraceful dive by Anto Murphy led to Billy Dennehy virtually hoofing the ball out of Connor's hands. Unfortunatly for the Kerryman and the rest of the City team it was a topper and landed straight at the feet of Glen Cronin, he put a good ball into the box and with the striker completly unmarked and out of position Byrne bagged his 12th of the season, now leading Shamrock Rovers Gery Twigg by one.

From there on in the Bohemians took their foot of the gas, and a pitiful attempt was made to try to grab an equaliser, set pieces were thrown away and only a half chance by second half substitute Tim Kiely was the only shot of note. Tonight the Rebel Army play bottom of the table Drogheda United at United Park. Three points will be needed if the Corkonians are to re-start their title challenge

A Lovely Day at the Seaside

We're still top of the league!! With an absolutetly huge match this Friday that is sure to draw the crowds this was a very important, if subdued win.

We headed off up the M8 at about a quarter past four. After more dire traffic at Mahon it was a breeze all the way up to Culahill. I must say, this is one thing that the government has actually got right, it's hugely reduced journey times and made away games so much more accessable.
The usual problem of Abbeyleix ensured we hit the M50 at about ten to 5, the worst time possible. An almost endless wave of traffic was being slowed by the inevitable roadworks that now dominate the ring road. We joined the long line of commuters heading from the capital back to the dormatory town, but thankfully at around 6 we had a chance to escape the car and take a look at the thriving metropolis that is the town of Bray.

Food was needed and at an un-named Italian chipper opposite the train station I forced down the worst 'fish and chips' I ever had. To be honest I couldn't tell the difference between the fish and the chips. Seaside food, pah! Although much entertainment was found in the antics of the taxi drivers in the station, who needs fancy pre match entertainment, all you need is a taxi rank overfilled!

Anyway, putting the fast food and taxi drivers behind us we entered the ground about an hour before kickoff. Upon arrival the ground was virtually empty but bit by bit the away end filled and once referee Tom Connolly blew for the start of the match we had the stand filled. After a bit of banter with Rico a minutes applause was held for Alan Kelly Sr. A fitting gesture to an excellent netminder and an honorary president of the Wanderers no less.

And so the game started, City have never gome out blazing this season and the trend was continued, most of the first 20 minutes were spent in the middle of the park. Denis Behan is much improved this season, fitter, faster and smarter then seasons gone by and he was the first to have a meaningful chance, his shot flashing past Chris O'Connor's post.

The Abbeyfeale native then drew first blood on 35 mins. His shot from all of 25 yards took a deflection off a Wanderers player and took one hop before nestling in the right hand corner of the net, 1-0 City, still top of the league and havin' a laugh!

Cillian Lordan tried an opportunist strike with O'Connor of his line but couldn't hit the target, Behan was again challenging the Australian native but he was upto the challenge. After the interval City were once again on top, Greg O'Halloran really have doubled the lead but his weak effort on the back post was the only blip in yet another fine display at centre back. Faz Kuduzovic drifted in and out of the game but did create two half chances, neither converted.

Colin Healy made it two, after a string of passes Guntars Siligalis did the only thing of note for the night with an excellently weighted through ball, that left the ex-Celtic man one on one with O'Connor. He showed composure in abundance when cooly rounding the Bray 'keeper and sliding the ball into the empty net. 2-0 and game over. Meanwhile reports were coming in of two scoreless games between Bohs and Drogs, and Derry and Rovers. We were cautiously celebrating a 5 point lead, then the news of Drogs going down to 10 men made us more nervous. The announcement of 4 minutes injury time didn't improve the mood and the inevitable happened in the last minute of the game. Mark Hughes giving the Gypsies the last gasp winner. While in the Brandywell the score didn't change up until the final whistle

So the trip home was the little bit faster with the 3 points in hand and please the holy sweet Jesus Christ above if we have a club (Which is most unlikely according to sources) there is the mouthwatering prospect of Bohs at home, a sell out perhaps?

Salut

Top of the League and We're Having A Laugh!!

What a night! From red cards to red faces and some red mist for good measure. This game had absolutely everything!

A poor morning turned into a beautiful evening as the sun broke out over Turners Cross for the crucial top of the table clash. With the thoughts of the Revenue in the back of our minds we found our spots in the shed for what was sure to be a low scoring game. We needed at least a point to go top, albeit temporarily and with a good few of our big players injured it was a lot more complicated then it seemed.

Pre match preparation included getting the flags together, reading the programme and being beaten to a pulp by a 7 year old (Which is now on youtube, thank you John Pittaway!)
Anyway, back to more pressing matters and we started on the back foot. A cross in from Kevin Deery found Sammy Morrow unmarked just inside the box but Connor got down well to make a good save. His former Drogheda team-mate Faz Kuduzovic almost scored in the 15^th min, Denis Behan was pulled down in the box (Which was a penalty I may add) and from the loose ball the Bosnian just shot wide.

Derry then had a golden opportunity and their best of the night by a long way. Morrow put in a good ball for Mark Farren in the six yard box and his powerful header was exquisitely tipped over the bar by the diving Dan Connor, soon winning his way back into the good books of City supporters.

They were made to pay for their miss as with 5 minutes to go in the half, a free kick from the right was headed across goal by Greg O’Halloran, and with an open goal beckoning Dan Murray headed it into the net. That sparked wild celebration in the shed. ‘WE ARE TOP OF THE LEAGUE’ rang out in the chilly May air. Half time came and went and it seemed like the buzz was back in a club that could be gone by the end of the week. Things went from good to better as Mark McChrystal was sent off. Taking down Colin Healy late after a City break earned the Derry native his second yellow and a dressing down from the City faithful.

This rallied Derry, and City lacked the momentum they had in the first period. But the Foylesiders couldn’t get past a resilient City defence (Patrick Sullivan take a bow). City lost two more players to injury, Latvian international Robert Mežeckis and Kerryman Denis Behan the latest to join the waiting list for the treatment table. In their place came Tim Kiely and winter signing Stephen O’Donnell. Kiely was poor on the left but following the switch of sides performed brilliantly, working his socks off and helping out all over the pitch. O’Donnell also played well before he had a nighmare incident, sent off on his City début for dissent towards the linesman. Declan Hanney take a bow, typical for an LOI referee to ruin a special moment for a nonchalant moment.
Poor referee’s aside it was a huge win and one my personal favourites, next for the Leesiders is an away trip to ‘south Dublin’ outfit Bray Wanderers. Top of the League and we’re havin’ a laugh!!

The night wasn’t over though, it was onto the Evergreen pub to contest the first ever FORAS quiz. A huge turnout, a generous donation*, and some great sponsorship ensure over €3,000 was collected for safe keeping in the ongoing fight to keep our club alive. A great night was had and well done to all involved in organising, we didn’t win but on the plus side a top 10 finish was nothing to laugh at!

*Many thanks to the members of the Queens University Derry City Supporters Club who were unable to make the quiz but still donated the money for a few teams, sometimes love-ins are good things!!

Catch Up

What an apt title!

The week started with an important win over Galway United. United have find going tough after losing manager Jeff Kenna and to be honest offered very little. A typical cagey opening, Doolin trying to figure the other team out. We had a few half chances with Billy Dennehy first setting up Denis Behan to head over, and then shooting wide himself. Galway really didn't look like they had much and a man i had worried about pre match, Jay O'Shea, proved to be very dissapointing.

We took the lead after around 20 minutes. A brilliant Colin Healy ball out to Fahuran Kudozovic saw the Bosnian native charge into the box and play a ball across the box that Billy Dennehy ran into the net. It was great play by Kudozovic, who started in place of Guntars Silligallis, Dennehy ending in the back of the net with the ball. As the sun set and left a beautiful flaming red sky, we sat back as per usual and just soaked up the pressure. Half time came and went and it was only after an hour or so did the next chance come along, Denis Behan getting himself one-on-one with ex-Pats netminder Barry Ryan, but from a tight angle the Abbeyfeale native could only hit it straight at Ryan.

Galway were the absolute pits and apart from a few passes their attacking threat was non-existent. We had a few pot shots before the end but the second half was a terrible spectacle. The neutral's mightn't be best pleased but us hardcore fans will be delighted with the 3 points. After a poor start we were moving up the table slowly but surely. And the girls I brought liked it! Always very important!!

Next up was Sligo and a good crowd turned up on a bright sping evening to see the first game in the second round of matches. With one quarter of the season gone there was a small bit of reflection, but with 36 games gone this season there is plenty more to come. As regards the match I could easily say read above, but being the dedicated and hardworking amateur journo that I am I'll continue. The only chance in the first 10 minutes was a flashing Billy Dennehy cross that managed to avoid all the limbs in the box and go out for a goal kick. Faz Kudozovic continued on from his good performance against Galway with a header that narrowly cleared the Sligo crossbar. Behan then shot past the post in an unusally bright period, reflecting the weather I suppose.

But then we, and the game in question were dealt a blow after Dennehy akwardly dealt with a challenge and had to be replaced, perhaps his studs catching on the baked Cross surface? Brian Cash then gave Sligo their first chance of the game when his shot whistled past Dan Connor's post. The inconsistancy of League of Ireland referee's was shown when Pat Sullivan got booked for dissent after he was victim to an awful tackle by Tribesman Owen Thorpey, Torpey was also booked for the rash tackle that ended the half. City came out for the second half a new team. Karaoke King Richard Brush was forced into action by a Behan header, then young rebel Shane Duggan missed a guilt edge chance after he fluffed his shot into Brush's hands. Colin Healy then had his shot blocked out for a corner as the pressure was bulilding up to boiling point.

With the City faithful baying for Sligo blood it was delivered 67 minutes in, a cross form Duggan found the head of a rising Kudozovic and looped into the top corner. A fantastic goal by a player that seems to be improving every time he steps onto a football pitch. The decibles being created the Shed were off the scale for the first time this season, we had finally found our voice. We were silenced 10 minutes later when Sligo had the ball in the back of the net courtesy of a Brian Cash shot into an empty net. But thankfully referee Neil Doyle was back, this time to blow for a foul on keeper Dan Connor. Phew!

Sexy football was seen at the cross for the first time at Turners Cross, when after a ball was hoofed into the crowd, one skilfull supporter showed his skills, first heading the ball up high into the air, and then powerfully heading back onto the pitch. In the words of football 'commentator' Andy Gray TAKE A BOW SON!, and so he did, to the applause of the 2,489 in attendance. Manager Paul Doolin had seen enough attacking football for one night and decided to take off a striker (Kudozovic) for a defender (Cillian Lordan) 'Killer' making his first appearence of the season.

From there the game fizzled out and with Sligo looking like a defeated team it was left for Doyle to call an end to proceedings. 8 unbeaten games on the bounce now for City and they face Wexford Youths at home in the 'EA Sports Cup' (League Cup) next Monday to try and pave their way to the Quarter Finals

Until then
Au revoir.

Two Kerrymen Walk Onto A Soccer Pitch...

*Takes Deep Breath*

So what a day!! What a trip and many memories to cherish, the most amazing 10 or so minutes culminated in 3 points for the Rebel Army. We took off from the residence in the south side towards the N8, dire traffic in Mahon Point slowed down progress somewhat but once we hit the tunnel the road was clear. Sunny skies and hot weather was to accompany us the whole day and it started from the outset. Hitting the new motorway outside Mitchelstown we were making great time, first Cahir went, and then looking out the window I saw the Horse and Jockey. The flat featurless road was a shock compared to the old Dublin road but the speed made it a lot easier to take! We got off at Culahill and once we reached Abbeyleix we were confronted by a menacing line of traffic that looked neverending but 45 minutes later we were finally on our way to Portlaoise. A few troubles on the M50 were dealt with and Dundalk was reached in about 4 and a half hours.

Dundalk was a bit of a dump, it was clear that it was suffering the effects of the euro in relation to sterling and its proximity to Newry, supposedly a haven for shoppers (Or so someone told me before departure) Shopping aside the match was the main focus of our attention that night and the 'synthetic grass' was as ever a hot topic of discussion. Personally, I didn't think it was going to have much bearing on the match, Croke Park, the Emirates Stadium and Anfield amongst others use a part synthetic pitch and the technology was advanced enough to ensure it wouldn't interfere with play. But upon arrival into the stadium my mind was changed in an instant, strands of green coloured plastic were sticking out of a sea of recycled and shredded rubber tyres, it was going tohave an inpact alright...

The cramped and uncomfortable stand was substituted for the cold and uncomfortable stand before proceedings got underway and as the sun dropped with the temperature, the game was just as cold. Darren Mansaram and Dan Murray exchanged chances early on but proper chances at goal were few and far between and a dissapointing game and atmosphere was thanfully ended by Declan Hanney's whistle. Dennehy had a chance which he put wide after the break but we were dealt a hammer blow by the 'King' George O'Callaghan when his ball in was well put away with a powerful Chris Turner header. It seemed that it just wasn't our day, the clear sky was now a nusance with the cold weather and icy breeze, City had chances but didn't take them and now a former hero led to our downfall 'I wanna go home, this is the worst trip I've ever been on' was being rumbled by a few on the aincent terrace.

Dennehy should have scored soon after but for a good save by Dundalk netminder Chris Bennion, it wasn;t going to happen. Another long ball was pumped forward, what is it with Doolin....but wait, Dennehy's on it! Yes, he's got it over Bennion! Shit, there's Thomas Heary, he's going to make it. No! The pitch combined with the frontspin on the ball has justy taken it over the line before heary could get to it! YEEES!!! I run down to the front towards the players, suddenly something clicks in my head. This is almost a carbon copy of the first away game against Bohs last season. I prey for the god(s) to be good this time and for Dan Connor to do everything in the realms of possibility to keep the scores level. Dennehy was in again! But he missed, dammit. That's going to come back and bite us where it hurts. I can't watch, I'm not going all the way to Dundalk and back to see us concead a late goal, surely not.

But another long ball goes in and Denis Behan outpaces Heary, i can't believe I'm seeing Denis outpace someone! But surely he's going to miss, Denis always misses one-on-one's, I close my eyes, but on re-opening them I see the ball nestling in the net. A quck check to the linesman to make 100% sure that something hasn't interrupted the joy and I leap up and down in joy, we have done it. For once we were on the right side of late goals! I look around me, people are jumping and shouting and dancing. For many this year, away trips and brought unrivalled pain and long trips home, but now here is the break.

Two late goals that remind of of why we do it, why we go the length and breadth of the country, wind, rain, sun, no matter what. Yes, it may sound cliched and yes, I haven't expierenced the pan that City have had years ago, but what I have expierenced is a special occasion, a late comeback and two super Kerrymen. What was that joke about Kerrymen being inerior to Corkmen?

6 Toes Extra

An eventful day Tuesday was, starting with flyers and ending in a 1-0 win. I headed into town at about half 12 to help hand out flyers advertising the free game in the City centre. After a half hours wait for the rain to clear I headed out with a stack of flyers towards the GPO where hopefully I’d get the flyers off my hands and back into the warmth of the club shop. Following a few rejections the stack was getting whittled down bit by bit and as the stack was getting smaller I was handing out more flyers per hand. A group of lads enquired as to what the fuss was all about. I told them and gave them about 10 flyers each, getting rid of 50 flyers in the process, big casino!!

An hour after heading out I was back in Sullivan Quay, but there was a visible difference in the mean time. Paul had brought back a TV crew (Trust Paul to head out with flyers and come back with a TV crew) Filming the fly-on-the-wall documentary ‘Chasing Shadows’, the group were in Cork after spending the day with Drogheda United fans. Paul and I politely accepted to do an interview and so from just being the guy with the flyers I turned into a TV megastar (Well, one can always fantasize!) and the finished product will arrive late May. Something to look forward to!

We wrapped up and I headed back home with no flyers, a new game and a release form for my work on camera. A quick spin on NHL on the xbox and it was time to go, I wasn’t expecting much entertainment. Drogheda were clearly going to park the bus and try to eek out a draw. Our best chance in the opening quarter came courtesy of a Dennehy deflection in the 6 yard box, but a mixture of athleticism and sheer luck ensured that League winning goalkeeper Steve Williams could knock it wide. Then, just before half time we went 1-0 up. Silagallis took a shot outside the box which Williams saved well, but after Rico’s word of encouragement a new Denis Behan was on hand to head home. Dan Connor had an excellent match and kept the lead in-tact just before the interval with a good save from Robbie Farrell.

The second half was an awful affair, Connor was alert and brave to stop John Paul-Kelly sprinting in on goal. Silagalis had a half chance from a bad backpass about 10 minutes later but after that the cut up rain soaked pitch made football nigh on impossible to get any sort of move going.

The win will be taken any way it comes though (For most of us anyway) and after 3 wins on the bounce, we’re showing signs of a team on form. Friday is the second of our three Friday’s away in a row (I wonder what genius came up with that?) when we make our first visit to Tallaght stadium. Unfortunately a lack of tickets has made going impossible, but the following Friday will be Dundalk away, from which my next blog post will come from.

Until then

Back to Winning Ways

Finally, a win! After 4 games, 2 losses, one draw and 3 last minute goals 3 points are finally in the bag, mind you, it was no walk in the park. Two goals from Guntars Sillgalius took us away from the bottom of the table and bagged the first win of the season in what might be a very difficult season to come. The atmosphere was poor on the main and reflected the flatness of the previous home match against St. Pats. Any buzz generated was after a goal and soon fizzled out, this wasn’t helped by terrible drumming which either slowed the chants down to a cripplingly slow pace or just broke them up altogether. The crowd cover at the start of the game complimented with the ‘Play for the Badge’ banner created an excellent display at the start of the game in the Curragh Road End, but there wasn’t a hint of neither a crowd nor a chant 15 minutes from the start. Murmurs of discontent rung around the stands with the news of Danny Murphy’s missed wage, wages were being paid late for other members of staff, but Murphy’s situation coupled with the contract he was pushed towards has not made Coughlan many friends after his dealings with the fans favourite. With this in mind the chants of ‘One Cockney Rebel’ were to be expected before the game and the rallying cry after the game was the fans way of appreciating what the London born full back has done for the club.
The game itself was a lacklustre affair, Bray, weighed down with injuries were inevitably playing for a draw, and despite a menacing shot that whistled past Chris O’Connor and over the bar, chances were few and far between. The game sparked into life when Stephen Brennan got his marching orders for a second bookable offence after a bad tackle on Neal Horgan. The first booking was questionable, Brennan was booked for kicking the ball away after he played a through ball following the referee’s call. To be fair to Brennan it seemed to me that he never heard the whistle and to the best of my knowledge played the ball before the whistle even went, but all things considered, the challenge itself was bordering on a capital offence. We took the lead halfway through the first half when a ball was crossed in and after what we thought was a Behan miss, Sillagalius casually nodded the ball into the back of the net to give him his second tap in in as many games. Following the goal a bizarre moment of stillness occurred before we all remembered how to celebrate a score. The last home goal we scored was that magical Kearney goal that won the Setanta Cup for us. A gap of 4 months and 26 days since our last home goal, you must excuse us for being a little rusty! Half time came and went and in the 59th minute we were two up. Once again Sillagalius was the executioner, a good run through the centre led to a delicate chip over O’Connors head and this time we celebrated properly. Bodies were all over the place and the uniquely accepted man-hug was being fully employed all over the stand. I predicted a Bray goal was going to come soon after and I was correct, a ball in from a free-kick wasn’t dealt with, the ball pinged around the box before it fell to Dave Mulcahy who stuck it home. There was squeaky bum time at the end with a couple of menacing attacks from a Wanderers side with 9 men following Derek Pender’s injury, but we survived to get what could be an important three points come the end of the season.

Home Comforts?

Well what a wet blanket that was! After a solid start away to Sligo we were brought right back down to earth by what was a poor St Pats team. A good move from a set-piece led to an excellent finish by Darragh Ryan which proved to be the difference. A shit atmosphere in the Curragh Road was compounded by the shit on the pitch and what was a hugely hyped up and anticipated even for City fans turned out to be a disappointment, and surprisingly somewhat of a surprise.

Cork City were completely flat up front, lacking talent, pace and imagination. My first impressions of Doolin are worrying. He clearly doesn?t have a grasp of the players in front of him. Why else take of Fahuran Kudozovic and bring on Behan, given the choice I would have taken off the less then impressive Guntars Sigalis and brought on Davin O?Neill. Why surely would he bring on a player that in all honesty isn?t good enough for the League of Ireland premier instead of a new signing that proved to be a revelation last season, playing well against much better teams then the Pats outfit on the pitch Friday last? There was very little of note after the Ryan goal, both sides were poor going forward and the fussy nature of ref made flowing football nigh on impossible, a scuffle that got going after an injury to Gary Rodgers inflicted by Faz got the crowd going briefly, but the next 5 minutes of play soon put an end to the buzz.

As the night got on the weather got progressively worse and perhaps that?s a small excuse for the brand of football that was played. But Doolin should be savvy enough to realise that you must adjust your tactics to fit the club that you?re in. The long ball isn?t something that City are used to and to be honest, Colin Healy and Joe Gamble looked lost in no mans land. Neither Sigalis nor Kudozovic are suited to the long ball (Perhaps why Kudozovic had so many problems after leaving Sligo) and if Doolin is a smart man he?ll find out the players strengths and play to them. Football teams can?t be dictatorships and if Doolin employs the iron fist of long ball football he might just as well pack his bags and go now.

By the way, when did fans ever start booing their own players? Dan Connor got a massive amount of abuse from so called ?supporters? Friday night. Now, I?m the first to condemn his actions and curse his name when playing for opposition teams. But following a good save from a tricky chip shot in the first half a mountain of abuse was hurled at the Waterford native for his failure to catch the ball. I was one of the very few that applauded him and yelled encouragement. Then these idiots starting shouting at me for applauding him and persisted in trying to start a heated debate during the match. During times like this I wonder who the real fans are.

On a lighter note, kudos to those who applauded Darragh Ryan after his goal and on his departure at the end of the match. He had to endure the same pay cuts as the rest of the squad last season and he was more then entitled to find a new club after he left City. I was hoping the Rebel Army would keep him but it wasn?t to be and his respect after the goal was admirable after the antics of a number of footballers over the last few years. Good luck Darragh and all the best at Pats!

Kevin Galvin

Rebels Piked

So the first competitive game of 2009 took place on a crisp Sunday afternoon back at Bishopstown. The Rebel Army were looking to get through to the quarter final of the Munster Senior Cup, a competition the Leesiders have won a staggering 16 times. Limerick outfit Pike Rovers provided the competition, as a junior side they weren’t expected to be much opposition.
But as the teams took the field there was no sight of manager Paul Doolin, U21 manager Stuart Ashton took the reigns for the day and surrounded himself it seemed with familiar faces. There were no fancy team buses or even lifts for some City players. As a matter of fact Tim Kiely called on the No. 8 city bus service to take him to the match; unfortunately he was confronted with the problem if having to discuss football with the group of plebs already on the bus. (Myself included folks!!)

Anyway back to the game and after an opening 20 minutes with very few chances. A piece of magic brought a spark to the game. After a corner from the left looped up into the air, a Rovers midfielder was soon onto it and hit the ball with venom and serious front spin which made the ball dip viciously just over the flailing arms of the keeper and under the bar. One nil and the Rovers management was jumping and whooping in delight.

Their score and joy was doubled after a free kick was given away in a dangerous position. The ball was drilled low and hard, deflected off the bottom off the wall and took a hard bounce off the bobbling pitch to slam into the left hand corner of the net. 2-0 Rovers and the ‘junior’ team were making their experience show. All City could muster were a few corners before a good turn of skill resulted in a low shot under the otherwise good Rovers keeper. ‘Thou shallst not pass’ seemed like the 11th commandment and many good chances were wasted with unnecessary over elaboration.

The cold and windy stand was substituted for the sunny pitch, and view was sacrificed for heat. Soon enough after the whistle a City chance went sailing over and so we had a ball to kick around with as well as a match to watch. Result!! The youths also picked up their performance and should have got a second when a corner was headed in and Rovers keeper took the ball into his chest, but crucially after the ball crossed the line.

Moreover he landed over the line with the ball (I was 4 yards away I hasten to add) and it was the linesman 40 yards away that decided the goal didn’t stand. But the luck was well deserved from a plucky and very well organised Pike Rovers outfit and when the full time whistle blew no one could begrudge the Limerick side the win and so City bowed out of the competition, not one of the highlights during the 25 year history Cork City Football Club.

County Clash

The first match at Turners Cross for the 2009 season was against newly reinstated Kildare County. After your typical mundane mid-term Friday and a Maths grind the gates were opened. Admission was free for all u18’s and un-employed persons and €5 for the lucky ones who are employed. Even the promise of free football for many didn’t draw much of a crowd, maybe 150 people packed the Donie Ford stand to see what was a casual affair. County were well organised at the back and Cork City’s front line of Behan and Kudozovic found the going tough. Headers from set pieces were their only way of threatening County goalkeeper. The shot stopper had groin problems earler in the game but ignored the pain to produce a top class save around 20 minutes in. From a powerful header on the near post he, ironically decked out in a City jersey, leaped and scooped the ball one handed just over the crossbar.

That prolonged the inevitable though and from the resulting corner a goalmouth scramble ended up with the ball wedged between new signing Robert Metzekis and the post but the Latvian managed to free the ball and toe poke it into the net to give the Rebel Army a 1-0 lead. Soon it was 2 when a dangerous Colin Healy free kick was met with a powerful header from captain Dan Murray. Just before halftime there was a highly entertaining dispute across the pitch between County defender and Manager which was clearly audible in the spookily silent ground. Trouble in the camp perhaps?!

There was chopping and changing in the second half. City fans were treated to their first look at controversial signing Dan Connor and Billy Dennehy and Faz Kudozovic were taken off. Another new signing Guntars Sigalis and Setanta Cup semi-final hero Tim Kiely replaced the two. It was Sigalis that provided the only bright spark in an otherwise dull second half when he smartly converted a powerful low cross from into the bottom right hand corner to hand Cork City a good 3-0 win.

So the lights were powered off and the crowd left the only all-seater and covered stadium in the country (Just thought I’d sneakily slip that in. Croke Park eat your heart out!!) the fans seemed pleased. The team played well and there doesn’t seem to be any financial difficulties. We’ve secured our A-Licence and a juicy away tie to Sligo will be played on a Saturday which means it’s accessible to many. (Unfortunatly not yours truly)

There’s only a week and a half to the start of the season and while painful memories are being slowly forgotten, new ambition is sowing its seed, now it’s up to fate to make it grow into a pretty little trophy.

We Are All Ón Trial

And so the season starts, it’s about 2 o’clock on a crisp Saturday afternoon and I’m in town, waiting for a friend to arrive so we can get the sow on the road. We must take the No. 8 bus out to Bishopstown to witness Paul Doolin’s first game in charge of Cork City and the return of Michael Devine. The bus journey was….interesting to say the least, a mixed member of society proceeded to discuss to my friend and I, he came away with the notion that I had multiple girlfriends!!! (We can all hope) Anyway, after getting off the bus a few stops in advance of the ground we set off to the ground.

Bishopstown was an ambitious plan set out buy the club’s former owners at the start of the previous decade. They planned to turn it into a purpose built stadium, fit for hosting concerts, internationals and big club matches. But after building the original stand it all fell to pieces, the club were planning to build a bar and restaurant facility and after the club were refused a licence to sell alcohol their main source of finance was taken from under their feet. Soon plans were scrapped and all that was left was the original stand (All thanks to the one and only Plonk) now all that remains is that one stand, the wire fencing outside the pitch has been taken down so thus stand a sole arch outside the tunnel, which everyone walks through for some reason (thus are the eccentricities of League of Ireland football)

With sunny skies overhead, and the ground bitterly cold, the match got underway, it was a fairly scrappy affair, with loose tackles flying in and umpteen passes going askew. Gints Fremanis was back for his second trial spell and looked impressive, with good ball control on what was a poor surface. Brazilian (Yes you read correctly) trialist Tacio Santos didn’t impress me, his passing was poor and his tackles were mis-timed and rash, that was when he actually attempted a tackle. There were some more good signs, Finnish centre back Matthias Kullstrom looked solid at the back (Not that we have problems filling the gap) and second half sub Levi Reid played well (English centre mid) At half time the group popped down to the shop with the idea of warming ourselves up, choclate was my preferred method, tea was another and Paul (mon ami) decided to warm up with a piping hot….Brunch??

We returned confectionary and hot drinks in hand to a scoreless game, the game had some more flow now and with the players getting used to the bumpy pitch, we decided to opt for a place in the sunlight in the second half and stood in the embankment opposite the main stand. Even with the added flow the game was still low on entertainment, and within hiatus’ in the match, we sourced alternative entertainment by watching a rip-roaring game between younger City fans going on behind one of the goals. Needless to say the game was end to end stuff, which wasn’t hard to be fair because the ends had 20 yards between them.

As the game made the transition into the final phase changes were made, both goalkeepers were changed and more first team players were introduced into the match, but there was very little troubling the net minders, both only having to do minor errands between the sticks. But with less then 2 minutes to go, a good corner was dropped in for David Grincell to powerfully head home, and the travelling support (About 4 in number) went wild and disgracefully jumped onto the pitch. (Which wasn’t difficult considering the touchline was barely visible) Referee Alan kelly blew the final whistle and their journey was worth it, they had a win away to Cork City and will no doubt now proclaim their selves themselves as ‘The best team in Munster’

For the Cork International Trialist XI it was the performance more then the result that mattered, and no doubt come the start of the season, we won’t be losing to Waterford. All that was left for me was to conduct a few short interviews in the all new Bishopstown reception area which had a modern table no less!!! After gingerly getting out of the stadium through a waterlogged field (Olympic Way eat your heart out) there were more bus eccentricities, first we had to run to catch a bus with no passengers on, and then I walked the two miles home faster then the bus could drive (Granted I had a head start). And I finally arrived back where I started from 4 and a half hours after setting out, so far so bad. Played 1, lost 1, conceded 1

Match Photo's: Alan Mooney

D-Day

It’s D-Day, no, it’s not a cup final, nor a crucial league game. For this team D-Day is licence day. With the ghosts of 2008 settled in already the club now faces the most important decision on the season, even before a ball is kicked. Today Cork City will know whether they have earned the coveted ‘A’ licence. The club failed to back pay all their players for the lost 80% by the deadline, and now that failure might rob Ireland’s most supported football club from playing in the premier league. But after signing key player’s contracts and assigning the new manager maybe the licensing committee will vote in out favour.

The UEFA ‘A’ licence is needed for a club to play in the top league of their country, and without it City would be cast to the depths of the First Division. We’re not the only club in this peculiar situation, Drogheda United are currently undergoing the painful period of examinership and their players have also taken a pay cut, it’s now up the authorities to judge whether City and United (Not the Manchester variety) are able to sustain their setup through the season and guarantee the back pay of players wages.

Come this summer I hope to be in Derry, rather than Wexford, in the Tallaght Stadium, rather than the Morton Stadium. With less than 2 months to go to the start of the season, nobody knows either who nor when they will play and it just goes to show you when it comes to this league, anything can, has and probably will happen.

New Manager - No Mop

Every day this club surprises me, they sack the most successful and then the most professional manager in a row, the first took compensation and the next still could very well do and now, we’ve managed somehow to sign one of the biggest managers in the domestic game. After public submissions, help from the League Managers Association and dozens of names thrown about former Drogheda United manager Paul Doolin has been appointed the 16th manager of Cork City in their 25 year history. Doolin had a 22 year playing career, winning 5 league titles with Shamrock Rovers, Shelbourne and Derry City as well as 5 FAI Cups and a League Cup trophy with Derry. He also played a year in Northern Ireland and won a league and Cup title with Co. Armagh side Portadown. The Dublin native also awarded the PFAI Player of the year on two occasions (1985-86, 1988-89) His first managing job was also as a player, Doolin spent 2 seasons as player-manager of UCD and after a fruitless term he took over newly promoted Drogheda United which was to be a turning point in his career in the dugout, he guided Drogheda to their first FAI Cup success in 2005, beating us in a wet and windy Lansdowne Road. He then beat the Rebel Army in the second final in 5 months and captured the Setanta Sports Cup in it’s second year. He retained the trophy the following year in a dramatic penalty shootout against Linfield at Windsor Park.

Cork City were once again the cannon fodder when Guy Bates struck a 25 yard strike to hand Drogs their first ever Premier Division title. 2008 for Drogheda went the way of a number of other teams getting into financial difficulties which all but ended Drogheda’s chance of retaining their league trophy, the Boynesiders started badly and the season didn’t get any better, Doolin finished his last season with the Claret and Blue outfit after financial cutbacks and after 3 months of unemployment baldy will take the reigns at Cork City, hoping to restore some stability back to the club, don’t expect to see many new faces though!!

Just so we know the story

Well, the first post eh!! At least I can say that I started anyway, in my infinite wisdom I've decided to document the 2009, and if it goes well other seasons following and shouting aimlessly for Cork City. Finally almost given the freedom to travel on the away buses, as well as attening all the home games it will be a long season, but no doubt no matter how we get on I'll be back for more in 2010

For those of you who have stumbled across this fine blog you're probably wondering 'Who the fuck are Cork City?' prepare to be enlightened my friends.

Cork City are a professional football team playing in the city of Cork (You probably guessed that anyway) Cork is a city of about 350,000 people situated in cold, wet and scenic Southern Ireland. The club plays in the League of Ireland (As opposed the Irish League, which is the Northern Irish league) alongside 9 others in the year of 2009. Turners Cross is the 'Rebel Army's' home stadium, one of the most impressive in the league it's an all-seater, soon to be all covered cosy ground that can hold around 8,500 maximum. The league has been, to say the least, in hot water during the 2009 season. Half of last year's teams were in financial trouble, and still now there are 2 or 3 teams in the setup that have the possibility of going under. Many teams have switched from full-time back to part-time and at the end of the year we even had our own mini-Italian betting scandal, when Gary Dempsey of St. Patrick's Athletic placed a join €10 bet against his team!

This year it's all about rescuing the league back from the depths of despair and putting it back on the slightly raised podium it deserves. There were some good notes in 2008 though when it came to European competition, Drogheda United came within a goal-line of knocking out Ukrainian giants Dinamo Kiev, and St. Patrick's Athletic were unlucky not to get a result out of Bundesliga outfit Hertha Berlin.

As for Cork City, the season of 2008 was one of the worst off the pitch, investiment company Arkaga took over the club at the end of the 2007 season and immediatly sacked league and cup winning manager Damien Richardson, the board were keping their cards close to their chest and refused to comment for their actions. Fans were split between hope, suspiciosnous, and dislike. The London based company gave Aidan Tynan the control of the club and he signed the Longford manager Alan Matthews, Matthews was just after leading Longford to the drop from the Premier Division and his last game before the appointment was a 1-0 loss to City in the FAI Cup final. Still though, he would have survived if it wasn't for a points deduction and he did lead the side to 2 previous FAI Cup triumphs. He was given money to spend and soon enough, former City player Danny Murphy joined with former Longford players Pat Sullivan and Dave Mooney. Fans favourite George O' Callaghan was signed on a 3 year deal before Matthews came in and so City completed their biggest ever transfer spending spree.

Fans hoped for the best, Danny Murphy was a proven left back at LOI level and Pat Sullivan was also more than competant in the back 4, Dave Mooney was incredibly the top scorer in 2007 and posessed a deadly right boot.

O' Callaghan was by fat the highest profile signing though. A home grown hero, O' Callaghan led CCFC to multiple succesfull European campaigns and a league title in 2005. But in 2006 O' Callaghan had a spat with then manager Richardson, and left for England to play with Ipswich. O' Callaghan promptly got himself sent off in his first game, an FA Cup 5th round tie against Watford and after 11 appearences and 1 goal he moved to the Withdean Stadium. He played 14 games in the blue and white of Brighton and Hove Albion before he moved back to Turners Cross.

To be honest readers, the less said about the 2008 season the better. Arkaga pulled out half way through the season landing the club in examinership, players were on 20% of their full wages and the club had to settle for a mediocre finish in the league. A loss to amateur side Wexford Youths in the League Cup semi-final didn't help one bit.

The fans staged a protest against the situation and refused to back down. FORAS (Friends of Rebel Army Society) were a fund set up to aid the club on a day-to-day running and had hopes to take over the club long term. 'The Club is in the wrong hands' was rung out fiercefully during Cork City's 3-0 home win over Bray Wanderers, and this sparked a revival in the club.


But there was good news from the season. After progressing from their group City beat Derry City in the Setanta (All-Ireland) Cup with a header from youth team player Tim Kiely and in front of a sell-out crowd the Leesiders came back to beat Belfast side Glentoran in the final, winning 2-1 with goals from County Cork native Liam Kearney, and English captain Dan Murray.

Since the club has lost the services of Kearney and midfielder Darren Murphy, but bought in form striker Davin O' Neill from Cobh Ramblers.

So this is where we start the journey, another month and a half to the start of the season and already I can't wait