Cork City extend Ryan Delaney's Loan Deal

Cork City have announced that defender Ryan Delaney has had his loan spell from Burton Albion extended until the end of the current SSE Airtricity League season.

Having arrived at Turners Cross on loan in January of this year, Delaney has turned in some exemplary form for the Rebels as City have conceded just nine league goals this campaign.

City boss John Caulfield spoke of his delight at extending the defender’s stay shortly after Thursday morning’s announcement.

“We are delighted to have extended Ryan’s loan until the end of the season. He came in under the radar before the start of the season and he settled in very quickly, having an immediate impact,” Caulfield told corkcityfc.ie.

“He has gone from strength to strength and has become a vital cog in our team, as we can see from the clean sheets we have kept.”

Delaney, who is set to play an even bigger part in Cork’s second half of the season following an injury to skipper John Dunleavy has also been effective in City’s attacking efforts this term according to Caulfield.

“As well as being a key part of our back five, he has also scored important goals for us and everyone can see that he is developing into a tremendous player. To keep him to the end of the season, with our position in the league and Europe coming up, is fantastic news for us.

“Also, with the disappointing news about Johnny Dunleavy’s injury in mind, it was very important for us to keep Ryan and I am very pleased that we have agreed this deal.”

Following Monday’s Europa League draw that paired City against Lervadia Tallinn of Estonia, the rebel camp will be hoping for a long run in the competition, a run that Delaney could have a serious impact in.

“The fact that Ryan came to the club as a player unknown to many people and has just won the Soccer Writer’s Player of the Month award shows how well he has done, and we expect him to kick on now in the second half of the season and have an even bigger impact,” Caulfield concluded.