O'Leary swaps Limerick for Cork City

CORK City have, this morning, announced the signing of midfielder David O’Leary for the 2014 season.

The move comes as no surprise for the Rebel Army as the Cork native has spent the last few weeks training with the squad and featured in some of their pre-season friendlies.

The 21 year-old returns to Leeside having spent the past few years with Limerick FC and in an interview with CotkCityFC.ie admitted it was good to be back “home”.

“I’m delighted to be back home after a few years at Limerick. It’s an honour to play for your local club. I used to go to games with my parents, so it is great to be back.”

 “I think it is the right time for me to be at the club; it has progressed an awful lot in the last few years and I think it will continue to do so. John (Caulfield) is very hands-on, which I like, and you know where you stand with him. He has drilled into everyone to have a good work ethic and to be professional about what you do, and I think everyone is doing that.”

Also speaking to CorkCityFC.ie, manager John Caulfield was delighted to get his man and confirmed that the midfielder would be his last signing of the off-season.

 “We are very happy to have Dave at the club. He did really well for Limerick over the last few years, and played a lot of first team games. It is a bit of a coup to get him, as he wasn’t even on the radar, and about a month ago it came up that there was a possibility he might be able to come to us, so we are delighted to get him.”

“He is a bit behind as he missed a lot of pre-season, but he has worked really hard since he has come in and he will certainly feature very shortly. Dave is our final signing. We have been focussing all week, and even since last week, on the Pat’s match, and getting our shape together for that. We are really looking forward to the Pat’s game and we are working to make sure we hit the ground running.”

The signing of O’Leary comes hot on the heels of a double signing yesterday when Rob Lehane and Kevin O’Brien penned deals with the Leeside club.

Cork City kick off their 2014 campaign when they welcome the defending champions St Patrick’s Athletic to Turner’s Cross for a 7:45pm kick-off.

You can also now catch Extratime.ie’s season preview for Cork City here.