Cork City full back John Kavanagh eyes silverware after signing new contract

After watching his team mates claim FAI Cup glory at the Aviva Stadium last November, John Kavanagh says he is determined to play his part in claiming more silverware for Cork City after signing a new contract.

“I am delighted to get it sorted and I am really looking forward to it now,” the 22-year-old said after penning the new deal.

“It’s great to be back training and it was great to get two games in before the end of last season; it really gave me a taste of it again.”

“The cup final win was great and the celebrations that followed were amazing. I think we deserved it for the last couple of years.

“On a personal level, it was tough sitting out a second cup final in two years, but that’s sport and, hopefully, if we get there this year I’ll be available.

“It will be difficult but I have done a lot of work with Kevin Tattan over the off-season and I feel good. I am coming in now on a level playing field with the rest of the players, something I didn’t have in the last two years.

“I just want to do a good pre-season and play as many games as I can.”

City boss John Caulfield has been impressed by Kavanagh's determination to bounce back from injury and  described how having him back in great shape for pre season is like having a new signing in the camp.

“It’s great for Kav; another young player who has come through the ranks here,” he said.

“He was flying a couple of years ago until he had a very serious injury, but he has come back and he played the last two league games last year. He has come back to pre-season in great shape and he is like a new signing for us.

“The breakthrough from the underage system is a big step, but Kav is one of the guys who has done that and done really well.

“He has had a setback with injury but he is a strong character and he has a great attitude; a lot of fellas would have fallen away in the circumstances, but he has come back and he is really looking forward to this season.”