Colin Healy: You will always get a difficult game against Cobh

Cork manager Colin Healy is looking forward to their league campaign getting underway.

Cork manager Colin Healy is looking forward to their league campaign getting underway. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)

Football loyalties will be split across the Rebel County on Friday night when Cork City meet Cobh Ramblers at Turner’s Cross for the first all-Cork derby in the League in twelve years. 

While the two clubs are well acquainted from friendly matches and cup competitions, the last league meeting between the clubs was in 2008. 

City boss Colin Healy is expecting a tough game from their East Cork rivals, who last won at Turner’s Cross in the 2006 League of Ireland Cup.  

“You will always get a difficult game against Cobh,” he explained, “They are honest lads and you know the majority of them. They are well organised and they are good hard working lads.

“Our players will have worked all week towards the Cobh game. We will have looked at their strengths and weaknesses. The lads are ready and they know what they are going into on Friday night.”

The game will raise the curtain on the 2021 First Division season for the Rebel Army and the City head coach is bracing for a yearlong battle Ireland’s second tier.

“It is going to be tough this year. There are some good teams in the league and teams are spending a lot of money. It is going to be difficult, but it is a season that we are looking forward to as a group.

“It will probably be the toughest First Divisons in many many years. The fans will get a lot of good games. It is going to be tight. Galway and Shelbourne have strengthened. You also have the likes of Bray and Cabinteely.”

Cork City will go into the game with a squad featuring academy graduates and season professionals from Ireland and England.  

 “I’m happy with what I brought in at the moment. I also have some lads I have worked with over the last few years. It is up to them to go and show what they can do now.



 “I want hard working players who will give everything to the jersey. That is all I ask. I want people to go out and do things properly. If we do that, I think we will be okay.”

    About Dylan O'Connell

    Dylan is a freelance journalist based in Cork. He joined Extratime in 2016 and he covers games all across Ireland. His bylines include The Echo, Irish Independent, Irish Examiner, The 42, RTÉ Sport, and Irish … View Full Profile