Buckley - Cork City is where I should be

There was more good news for Cork City fans yesterday as Garry Buckley committed to the club for the 2014 season.

After signing his new contract, Extratime.ie caught up with the young Cork City player who told us he was happy to get his future sorted sooner rather than later.

“I wanted to get it done quickly and I’m happy it’s done, so I’m looking forward to it.

“As soon as John was appointed he contacted me straight away which was good. I didn’t want it dragging on and wanted to get it sorted, so I did and I’m pleased.”

Having captained the Cork City under 19 double winning side in 2012, Buckley established himself as a first team regular at Turner’s Cross this in 2013. Talking about his hopes for next season the versatile player tells us he is hoping to feature even more regularly next year.

“I want to beat the amount of appearances I made, contribute more to the team and maybe get a few more goals.

“I’m happy with how I did last year, so maybe get a few more appearances alright.”

Since he was capped for the Republic of Ireland under 18 team, and while at the club’s much celebrated under 19 team, Buckley featured mainly as a midfielder. However needs must, and injuries/suspensions saw the 20 year old feature primarily as a centre half this year.

The debate rages on as to which is his natural position, but what does the man himself think?

“Sometimes I think I’m a midfielder, sometimes I think I’m centre half. Maybe in the long run I think I am a centre half, but I do like playing in midfield as well.”

When talking to Caulfield, Buckley tells us that the subject of where he will play in 2014 didn’t come up, but that he is happy to play wherever selected.

“Wherever I play, it doesn’t really matter to be honest.”

With the conversation firmly fixed on next season and the recent signings, I barely have to ask and there is no mistaking Buckley’s enthusiasm.

“Definitely with the signings we’ve made so far, they both bring different things to the team.”

The young Cork City player is clearly excited at the prospect of playing with Anthony Elding “who will bring goals” and Buckley calls the signing from Sligo Rovers “a big statement” by the club.

 He also speaks about the “competitive” and “aggressive” edge that the signing of Darren Murphy will bring to the midfield, but insists that the club “have a good core squad from last year” and welcomes the re-signing of “very good experienced players like McNulty and Healers”.

For Buckley, the results and performances that featured in the second half of the season just gone highlight this.

“We got a lot of freedom coming into the second half, Stuey let us have our freedom and we expressed ourselves and we got a lot of goals.

“We had a few players on form as well, which wasn’t there at the start of the season – so that will help too.

“About 15 of our squad last year were 23 or under, and we’ve got a year experience under us again so I really think we can push on.”

If the Rebel Army are to push on, Buckley acknowledges that the club need to start the season well but he remains buoyant.

“I’m very optimistic about the season ahead to be honest. I probably would have said that too last year, but I think if we have a good start I think there is definitely a good cup run in us and top four.”

“Dundalk for example, that was only their first year together and they showed that it can be done. If you get a string of results together you’re not even just top four, you’re first, second or third.

“That’s the way the league goes, it’s anybody’s league in any year.”

On a personal level, Buckley has recently seen Alan Browne make the switch to Preston, while Danny Morrissey is another to have graduated from the under 19 team who is expected to make the move across the Irish Sea.

Buckley is equally as ambitious, and one day hopes to compete at the highest level – but for now he has no doubts over where he should be playing.

“Obviously I am very ambitious, and I really want to go to England, but I think right now Cork City is the place for me to go.

“I have developed well over the years, and I am still developing.

“What comes down the line I don’t know, but right now I think Cork City is where I should be.”

Also re-signing for the club for 2014 were goalkeeper Mark McNulty, Republic of Ireland international Colin Healy.

2013 saw McNulty keep five clean sheets in the Airtricity Premier Division, and the Ballincollig native will be hoping for more stability in the Cork City back four next season as the club look to build on consecutive sixth place finishes.

Meanwhile Colin Healy, also from Ballincollig, brings considerable experience and is expected to be a vital asset for John Caulfield as he assembles his Cork City squad.

Other member of the 2013 have verbally agreed to sign up for next season, and Extratime.ie will bring you all the news from Turner’s Cross over the coming days as they sign on the dotted line.