John Caulfield: 'Danny Kane is a fantastic footballer - hopefully Monday or Tuesday we should have something sorted'

After a 69-day break, John Caulfield held his first post-match interview of the new season following his side’s 1-0 victory over Cobh Ramblers in St Colmans Park today.

A first half goal from Sean McLaughlin was enough to separate the sides at the break and, despite further chances, there was to be no change to the score line.

The City manager was happy to see his team get a run out, and to run the rule over a number of trialists, including Ireland under-21 international Danny Kane whom he expects to sign next week.

“We are back training just over a week and the lads are training every day,” Caulfield told the assembled media.

“I suppose if you looked over the last few days you were wondering if the game was going to go ahead, so it made conditions tricky but at least it gave the new lads a game.

“If you look at the back four – Colm [Horgan], Conor [McCarthy], Aaron [Barry], Sean [O'Loughlin] – bar Conor with a handful of games, none of the others had played for the club.

“It gives lads a bit of a run out and it was by no means a classic. We’ll be back in Monday and we’ll work at it again.”

Of the new signings in the squad, Josh O’Hanlon was one player who was expected to feature but didn’t as he pulled up tight in training yesterday and it was decided that he would be rested.

And of the trialists who featured, Danny Kane, the Huddersfield centre half, was one who impressed Caulfield with the manager hoping to get the signing over the line next week.

“Danny Kane, he is still a trialist and an Irish U-21 international so he can play right across the back four, but centre back is his number one position.

“[He's a] fantastic footballer, great touch, very quick and even in the second half in difficult conditions you could see he was a really good player.

“Hopefully in the next few weeks you’ll see that he is a really good player. Hopefully Monday and Tuesday we should have something sorted there.”

With Alan Smith currently undergoing rehab for an injury that makes the substitute goalkeeper a vacant position for the next few months.

Jakib Marsden of Ipswich was in on trial today but it wouldn’t be a surprise to see more players on trial in the coming weeks.

Conor Ellis is still training with Limerick as he hoping to get further game time this season but is waiting to see how the managerial situation there develops.

Regardless, Caulfield would welcome him back to Cork if the chance arose.

Regarding the recent speculation linking Galway player Padraic Cunningham with City, the manager said: “He has never been on trial with City, he hasn’t been down. It is all paper talk.”