Gearóid Morrissey: 'I imagine there will be blood'

The bragging rights down south will be up for grabs on Friday night when Cork City face Cobh Ramblers at Turner’s Cross. 

The two teams will meet on the opening night of the 2021 League of Ireland First Division season and both clubs will want the three points if they are to have any hopes of promotion in the autumn. 

No one understands the situation better than club captain Gearóid Morrissey, who is itching to walk out of the tunnel on Friday evening. 

“It is fantastic way to start the season,” he said, “It is great for Cork football. It would have been great if both teams were in the Premier Division. But, this is where we are.

 “It is going to be a battle. I don’t think it is going to be a beautiful game of football. I imagine there will be blood and thunder and we are expecting it. Everyone is anticipating this game.

“Bragging rights are up for grabs. This is a derby. They want to get one over on us, and vice versa. We’re really looking forward. We miss the crowds. We know that it would have been a full Turner’s Cross and the atmosphere would be electric.”

The excitement quickly fades away as the midfielder dwells on the last year at the club. Three years on from when City won the league and cup double, the Rebel Army were relegated for the second time in their history. Morrissey was there through everything, from the penalty shootout win over Dundalk in the 2017 FAI Cup final to the day Finn Harps sent the club down.  

“I never want to experience anything like that ever again,” he said, “It was the worst. You can’t forget about it. It was extremely tough to take. That pain was a constant reminder.  It is still fresh. I still remember how it felt finishing that season. 

“You would be talking to family and they would help you get through it, but I never want to experience anything like that again. Especially when you compare it to a couple of good years when you won trophies and going to that. I’m after experiencing both, and I know what I want to do.

“This has given us a bit more hunger and desire. It has given an understanding of switching off. If you are not tuned in constantly, three or four results can be on top of you that are going the wrong way. I think that is a place I don’t want to be again, and I know the lads are the same.”

With all of this in mind, the midfielder is expecting a tough race to get back to the Premier Division. 

“It is going to be very very tough. It is going to be a tough division this year. It is going to be very competitive. There are some very good teams who have strengthened. We’re under no illusion.”

Colin Healy: You will always get a difficult game against Cobh https://t.co/Rg9z1X25nYpic.twitter.com/MrpOeCSUNE

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) March 23, 2021