Season Preview 2015 - Cork City

Manager: John Caulfield

Stadium:Turner’s Cross

Players in: Alan Bennett (AFC Wimbledon), Kieran Djilali (Limerick), Gavan Holohan (Drogheda United), Liam Miller (Melbourne City), Karl Sheppard (Shamrock Rovers), Alan Smith (Glasgow Rangers).

Players out:Darren Murphy (Cobh Ramblers), Cillian Morrison (Derry City), Ian Turner (Limerick), Gearóid Morrissey (Cambridge United), Dave O’Leary (Galway United).

Extratime.ie Key man: Karl Sheppard

Having fallen at the final hurdle last season, John Caulfield has strengthened his side considerably in the off-season. Quite often in 2014, the Rebel Army went with one up front, as Mark O’Sullivan turned in a series of top drawer performances that would ultimately see him earn a place on the PFAI Team of the Year.

Despite his inspirational performances, the Leesiders could sometimes be accused of being one-dimensional and you couldn’t help but feel that Cork City were in need of more options and more goals up front.

However things have changed and this season Caulfield has an abundance of spoils to choose from up front, with no fewer than six strikers on the books. One of these marksmen is former Shamrock Rovers and Reading striker Karl Sheppard.

Sheppard’s arrival could herald a switch to two up to for Caulfield’s men, and many on Leeside are hoping that the Dublin native’s goals can fire Cork City to some silverware this season.

Extratime.ie One to watch: Gavan Holohan

Caulfield maintains that his best business in the transfer window was holding onto most of last years squad. The Cork City boss was largely successful, but midfielder Gearóid Morrissey was one that got away as the former Blackburn Rovers player moved back to England and joined Cambridge United.

Morrissey was a real fulcrum in the Cork City midfield in recent years, always playing on the front foot and at the heart of a lot of what was good at Turner’s Cross. Morrissey’s departure sent Caulfield into the market for a young ball-playing midfielder; enter Gavan Holohan.

Having captained the Hull City youth team, the Kilkenny native returned to Ireland and joined Drogheda United in 2013. Last season saw Holohan score six goals from midfield and despite the arrival of marquee signing Liam Miller, expect Holohan to feature heavily and shine on Leeside this season.

How they did last season:

League: 2nd

FAI Cup:Third round

EA Sports Cup:Quarter Finals

What to expect this season:

2014 was almost a fairytale debut season for John Caulfield as the crowds flocked to the Cross to see the Rebel Army finish as runners up behind Dundalk.

This season should be a different prospect for the Leeside legend however. St Patrick’s Athletic, Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers are arriving to the party as potential title challengers and expectation continues to rise in Cork.

The arrival of Republic of Ireland internationals Liam Miller and Alan Bennett has seen a jump in season ticket sales as fans start planning their holidays around a summer European adventure.

On the pitch, even on the eve of the season it is not clear what is Caulfield’s first eleven or even starting formation. The signing of Djilali should give the side more balance while the return to fitness of Danny Morrissey could be like a signing up front.

Cork City will be in it to win it, but consolidating their place as title challengers and securing Europe again would be seen as a success.

Title odds: 5/1

First game:Sligo Rovers (Saturday 7th March, The Showgrounds)