The Brothers Dennehy join the Rebel Army

Cork City have today announced the signings of brothers Billy and Darren Dennehy.

Billy, who originally joined the club in 2009 from Derry City, returns to Cork after four seasons with Shamrock Rovers. The winger won a number of trophies with the Dublin side, but he said he always wanted to move back to Leeside.

“It is obviously a very different club now to the one I left, and the club has made great strides in the last few years. Even when I was away, it is a club I always wanted to come back to at some stage in my career. When the chance came up, I had no doubt in my mind that it was what I wanted to do.

“The manager is putting a good squad together. He has made a couple of good signings and we will all work hard in pre-season and look forward to the first game of next season. The club should be there or thereabouts in every competition next season; we will be a hard-working group and hopefully that will be reflected in our results.”

In his first stint the former Sunderland player didn’t waste any time in endearing himself to the Cork City faithful, as he bagged a goal on his league debut in the 1-1 draw away to Sligo Rovers.

Dennehy’s stay on Leeside was only to last one year and his Cork City career ended as it began, a league match on the road to the west of Ireland. This time it was Terryland Park and Galway United, but once again the pacy winger notched a goal to give his side the lead only to have to settle for a draw in the last game of the 2009 season. This was to be his last appearance in the green of Cork as he would sign for Shamrock Rovers before the 2010 season.

While at Tallaght, the 26 year old won two Premier Division titles, as well as two Setanta Sports Cup titles. He would also go on to score a goal in Shamrock Rovers’ Europa League Group A game with PAOK in November 2011.

More recently, Cork City fans will be all too familiar with Dennehy’s capabilities having been at the receiving end of a 93^rd minute free kick in the Setanta Sports Cup semi final that broke Cork hearts and saw Rovers progress to the final.

Darren, who joined last year after spending a number of years in England, has signed back with the club for the coming season. The central defender missed a significant part of last season through injury; returning for the final league game against St. Pat’s, and he told CorkCityFC.ie that he cannot wait to get back to playing after that absence.

“John is putting a good squad together, as people can see with the players who have been signed already. He has brought players in who have won things and I think top four should be our main target. Last season I felt my best was yet to come when I got injured.”

Commenting on the signings, Cork City manager John Caulfield said he was pleased to have added the brothers to his squad.

“Billy is in the prime of his career and is another big addition to the squad. I feel he is a much better player now than he was when he was at the club previously. His goal ratio at Shamrock Rovers was quite good and that shows our intent to get goals.

“Darren had a disappointing season last year with injury but he has worked really hard to get himself right and he looks in great condition. I think the signings show our intent and I am delighted with two great signings.”