Season Preview 2014 - Cork City

Manager: John Caulfield

Stadium: Turner’s Cross

Players In: Darren Murphy (Woking), Anthony Elding (Sligo Rovers), Billy Dennehy (Shamrock Rovers), Michael Rafter (Derry City), Mark O’Sullivan (Avondale United), Liam Kearney (Avondale United), Kevin Mulcahy (Avondale United), Matt Gledhill (Sligo Rovers), Rob Lehane (UCC), Kevin O'Brien (Free), David O'Leary (Limerick)

Players Out: Kalen Spillane (Sligo Rovers), Shane Duggan (Limerick) Daryl Horgan (Dundalk), Alan Browne (Preston North End)

Released: Danny Furlong (now at Wexford Youths)

Extratime.ie Key Man: GEARÓID MORRISSEY

Since returning to Cork from Blackburn Rovers, Gearóid Morrissey has shown glimpses of his enormous potential but has not yet shown it with enough consistency. The young midfielder likes to play on the front foot and get on the ball and get things going, but last season in particular he was used out of position on the right which hampered his influence on games. Morrissey finished last season with seven assists in the league (Cork City’s highest) however he knows himself he will have to improve on his two league goals.

“Last season I felt while I was slightly a bit more defensive than Shane Duggan, I should have got more goals really. I didn’t get in the box enough, but this season I’m going to make it a primary target to score more goals.

 “I know I can score goals. Growing up I’ve always been a goalscorer, but when I came to City I kind of fell into a role of being a bit more defensive. I sat there and didn’t get into the box as much as I used to or should have but this season I’m going to do that.”

If Morrissey can add these goals to his game and concentrate on developing his central midfield game, there is no reason why he can’t be one of the shining lights of the league, let alone at Turner’s Cross.

*Quotes taken from Extratime’s interview with Gearóid Morrissey in December 2013 after signing his new contract.

Extratime.ie One to Watch: MICHAEL RAFTER

Since arriving from Derry City, Tipperary native Michael Rafter has scored three braces in pre-season for the Rebel Army. While Rory Patterson was the lead striker for the Candystripes last season, the 21 year old forward still managed to chip in with an impressive 12 league goals. Much has been made of Anthony Elding’s arrival on Leeside and of Danny Morrissey’s prolific end to the 2013 season, but Rafter’s eye for goal (particularly from distance) gives Caulfield a welcome headache up front. With Morrissey set to miss the start of the season through injury Rafter will be expected to start for the Rebel Army, but don’t be surprised if he manages to feature heavily when all are fit and finishes with a similar goal tally to last season.

How they did last season:

League: 6^th

FAI Cup: Third Round

EA Sports Cup: Quarter Final

Setanta Sports Cup: Semi Final

Top League Goalscorer: Ciarán Kilduff – 11 goals

What to expect for 2014:

Cork City were the first League of Ireland team to return to pre-season, way back on January 6^th, as their new manager and new players try to get everything to click in time for the start of the new season. There were pre-season friendlies a-plenty and Caulfield didn’t disappoint with a number of exotically named trialists featuring (Akil DeFreitas in particular briefly catching the imagination). The Leesiders certainly weren’t shy in front of goal either, scoring 26 times in seven and a half games (the friendly with Cobh Ramblers was called off at half time).

For 2014 expect the goal scoring to continue from Cork City. Last season they scored more league goals at home than any other team in the division, and with many players commenting that Caulfield’s passion and intensity is rubbing off on them the hope on Leeside is that Turner’s Cross will be turned into a fortress of sorts once more.

It is at the other end of the pitch that questions remain and Caulfield will be hoping to tighten up a defence that shipped many late goals last season. If Cork City can start positively, the crowds will follow and with momentum on their side they could be in with a shout of a European place.

Title Odds: 20/1 (best odds available)

First Game: vs St Patrick’s Athletic (Turner’s Cross - Fri 7^th March 2014)