Barrett, Daly and O'Connell sign for City ahead of FAI Cup clash

Cork City Women have announced the captures of Mary Barrett, Evelyn Daly and Barbara O’Connell as they continue their final preparations ahead of today’s Continental Tyres Women’s FAI Cup first round clash against Shelbourne U18 at Tolka Park.

Mary Barrett a former U17 & U19 Ireland international has signed for City from Douglas Hall. The defender will be having her second spell in the Women’s National League having previously represented Cork during in the league's inaugural season before returning to Douglas Hall.

Speaking to Corkcitywomensfc.com after the announcement Barrett said she is looking forward to returning to the Cork City side and she is hoping the new structures in place within the side will help them achieve positive results on the pitch.

“I’m delighted to be back in the fold after taking a break from Women’s National League after the first season. It’s great to see the calibre of player that is involved with Cork City this year and the commitment of those players to date. Having such high quality, experienced personnel within the management has brought huge benefits during pre-season and I have no doubt that we as players will reap the rewards of their professionalism throughout the coming season with positive results on the pitch”.

Evelyn Daly signs for Cork City Women from Lakewoods and like Barrett she has represented her country at underage when she was part of the under 17’s squad that travelled to Iceland for the recent European Championships.

After signing on the dotted line for City, Daly told the club’s website that she is looking forward to continuing her development and she cannot wait to test herself against some of the country’s top stars in the Women’s National League.

"I am excited about the up and coming season and getting the opportunity to play in the Women's National League and challenge myself against the best players in the country. I am constantly looking to improve my game and I know that working with the best players and playing against the best players will really help my development and get me to where I want to be."

Cork Manager Niall O’Regan was delighted to secure Daly services and he is looking forward to be working with the underage international as she continues her development.

“Evelyn Has been superb since she has come in, I have had the pleasure of working with a number of internationals in the men's game and she really is as good as any of those players and has such a bright future ahead, working on a weekly basis with players that have abilities such as Evelyn's is what every coach wants and she really is a excellent talent with a bright future ahead.”

Barbara O’Connell has joined Cork City Women from Wilton United and she told corkcitywomensfc.com that she is looking forward to playing Women’s National league as it’s something she has always wanted to do.

“I'm delighted and looking forward to playing for Cork City in the Women’s National League. It's definitely something I've always wanted to do.  The management was the main factor in my decision to sign as I've worked under Niall O’Regan over a decade ago and have great respect for him. I'm looking forward to the season ahead and hopefully it's the start of great things for Cork City Women's Football Club”.