CCFC can prosper on Leeside
Credit:
There is a cautious optimism growing amongst people involved with CCFC, and it’s not long overdue.
Finally the litigious Tom Coughlan is out of their way and the supporters can finally focus on the football after two torrid years; saga after saga, financial disaster after financial disaster and finally the implosion of Coughlan’s holding company two weeks ago.
Some of his harshest critics, and there are more than a few of them, would argue that the property developer should have been vilified even further. There is no denying that the man was a scourge to Irish football, as well as the poison which almost destroyed football in Cork.
Nonetheless, the future is bright and despite demotion to Division One, it looks a whole lot sunnier on Leeside now that Coughlan has left. Thankfully, a lot of things remain the same, the new CCFC will play in Turner’s Cross with a lot of the same people – the trusted and loyal ones anyway – still involved off of the field.
As for the players, Cillian Lordan and Greg O’Halloran, amongst others, will play their part in establishing the club on the field. The former, after several years of dedication to the cause in both defence and midfield, was announced as club captain last night, while former ExtraTime columnist Greg O’Halloran will become Tommy Dunne’s assistant manager.
They might struggle on the pitch in the opening series’ of games; with former rivals at the top of the pyramid Derry City the opposition tomorrow night. Nonetheless, a squad mixed with youthful exuberance and knowledgable experience should gel together and a mid-table finish should definitely be obtainable. Anything else would be a bonus.
Granted, there are things missing and it’s not what people involved with the original CCFC had become accustomed to in its heyday. Kevin Mullen and Eanna Buckley, the two men who deserve huge credit for the club moving in the past two weeks, are currently working in the back of the Turner’s Cross Tavern, a pub two minutes away from the ground.
There might not be a club shop in the city centre; there might not be senior internationals plying their trade on the field but at least there are no shady characters in the background destroying the souls of a proud footballing community.
Cork people are usually an expectant bunch, demanding the best on the field. However, this season at least, those that will descend on the ‘Cross to back the ‘new’ team will just be happy with stabilisation. FORAS should be proud of their efforts and they, more than anybody else on Leeside, deserve success on and off the field in the near future.
Finally the litigious Tom Coughlan is out of their way and the supporters can finally focus on the football after two torrid years; saga after saga, financial disaster after financial disaster and finally the implosion of Coughlan’s holding company two weeks ago.
Some of his harshest critics, and there are more than a few of them, would argue that the property developer should have been vilified even further. There is no denying that the man was a scourge to Irish football, as well as the poison which almost destroyed football in Cork.
Nonetheless, the future is bright and despite demotion to Division One, it looks a whole lot sunnier on Leeside now that Coughlan has left. Thankfully, a lot of things remain the same, the new CCFC will play in Turner’s Cross with a lot of the same people – the trusted and loyal ones anyway – still involved off of the field.
As for the players, Cillian Lordan and Greg O’Halloran, amongst others, will play their part in establishing the club on the field. The former, after several years of dedication to the cause in both defence and midfield, was announced as club captain last night, while former ExtraTime columnist Greg O’Halloran will become Tommy Dunne’s assistant manager.
They might struggle on the pitch in the opening series’ of games; with former rivals at the top of the pyramid Derry City the opposition tomorrow night. Nonetheless, a squad mixed with youthful exuberance and knowledgable experience should gel together and a mid-table finish should definitely be obtainable. Anything else would be a bonus.
Granted, there are things missing and it’s not what people involved with the original CCFC had become accustomed to in its heyday. Kevin Mullen and Eanna Buckley, the two men who deserve huge credit for the club moving in the past two weeks, are currently working in the back of the Turner’s Cross Tavern, a pub two minutes away from the ground.
There might not be a club shop in the city centre; there might not be senior internationals plying their trade on the field but at least there are no shady characters in the background destroying the souls of a proud footballing community.
Cork people are usually an expectant bunch, demanding the best on the field. However, this season at least, those that will descend on the ‘Cross to back the ‘new’ team will just be happy with stabilisation. FORAS should be proud of their efforts and they, more than anybody else on Leeside, deserve success on and off the field in the near future.
About Features Team
Extratime's team of feature writers give their unique take on various matters within the league, backed by editor Alan Smith. View Full Profile