2023 Season Preview: Cork City

None

Manager: Colin Healy

Stadium: Turner’s Cross

Players in: Tunde Owolabi (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Ethon Varian (Bohemians on loan), Matthew Healy (Ipswich Town on loan), Tobi Oluwayemi (Glasgow Celtic on loan), Albin Winbo (Varbergs BoIS on loan), Kevin Custovic (Vejle Boldklub on loan), Daniel Krezic (Varbergs BoIS)

Players out: Mark McNulty (Retired), Louis Britton (Yeovil Town), Uniss Kargo, Dylan McGlade, Ronan Hurley, and Alec Byrne (Released), James Doona (Longford Town), David Harrington (Fleetwood Town), Mark O’ Mahony (Brighton and Hove Albion), Kennedy Amechi (Kerry FC), Franco Umeh (Crystal Palace), Leon Ayinde (Ipswich Town)

Extratime.com Key Man: Ruairi Keating

For a newly promoted side to survive, it is crucial they possess a striker or two to land those chances that prove the difference in a loss to a draw and a draw to a win.

History has shown over the past few seasons that sides who can score enough goals will stay up. And Keating showed he had that killer touch in tight situations.

He will be in competition with the likes of Cian Murphy and the incoming Tunde Owolabi for the main striker position. On occasions, it may be a dual striker or solo depending on the opposition.

He is one of those players who generally plays off the last defender in anticipation of an opportunity. He is equally adept in the air as he is on the ground and capable of coming deeper to draw out tight defences.  

Extratime.com One to Watch: Matt Healy



Healy’s preferred formation last season alternated between a front-three and that of dual strikers depending on the occasion. One of the players who became integral to that success was the loan signing of Matt Healy from Ipswich Town.

He was a low-key arrival at the time but demonstrated a skillset few possessed in the league.

His pacy and direct style suited playing as a central attacking midfielder or out wide. He possessed a willingness to shoot from distance and from all angles which caught out many keepers.

He often found himself backing up the front players with runs from deep. In addition to his scoring, he chipped in with plenty of assists with his crossing and deft passing.

How they did last season:

League: Tipped to be in title contention with Galway and Waterford, the season began with inconsistent form.



A six-goal hammering of Bray was followed by a home defeat to Galway and a scoreless draw with Longford. But they were to hit their peak soon.

A run of thirteen games undefeated with only two draws put them in a strong position for the title.  

It was their defence that came to form in the mid-season period. Two goals conceded in the space of eight games showing their togetherness and strength in this position.

They had the platform which allowed their attacking players do their business. This included a crucial away win in Galway and a draw at home which kept their lead intact.

Just when the finishing line seemed in sight, a wobble occurred.

Dropped points, especially at home to the likes of Treaty, Waterford and Longford, allowed a chance for the sides below to gain ground.

Especially when Galway came from behind to beat them at Eamonn Deacy Park.

Ultimately sides around them were unable to keep up their own form and promotion was achieved in a scoreless draw at home to Wexford.  

FAI Cup:

Given their form in the league at the time, City had been tipped by many to have been dark horses for the cup. They started with yet another game with Cobh Ramblers down in St. Colman’s Park. A close-range finish by Ruairi Keating just before the half-hour from a clever Matt Healy free kick ultimately proved enough. A well-marshalled defence keeping out the home attack.

The next round was much tougher as they travelled to Premier Division title challengers Derry City. They aimed to make it difficult for the home side in the early stages but found themselves one down within ten minutes. Ryan Graydon was played through the centre before he was taken down by Jimmy Corcoran. Will Patching stepped up to slot the penalty past the keeper.

Whatever hope they had of getting something out of the game was dealt a further blow by the sending off of Keating. Sadou Diallo netted a second as they put the game beyond doubt. Given that two First Division sides reached the semi-finals, they might have a tinge of regret how they performed here.

What to expect this season:

City achieved what they had set out to do last season by gaining promotion. In a division that was stacked with competition, they were a picture of consistency for the majority of the year.

A strong defence, creative midfield and sharp forwards proved to a winning combination as they battled with the likes of Galway, Waterford and others to eventually emerge as the top dogs of the league.  

There is a huge step-up from here to playing in the Premier Division though.

And there is limited experience amongst the squad at playing at this higher level. Ally Gilchrist, Tunde Owolabi have experience via other clubs while some of the academy players appeared during the club’s ill-fated 2020 season.

The major emphasis has been on retaining many of the key personnel from last season and building from there. It will be interesting to see how some of the loanees will fit to the pace of the league also.

Defence proved to be solid so they will likely go with the same backline that was the toughest in the Division.

Gilchrist and Cian Coleman in the centre with the likes of Gordon Walker, Jonas Hakkinen, Darragh Crowley and Josh Honohan providing competition.

The retention of Aaron Bolger and Barry Coffey is a major bonus given their performances last year.

Cian Bargary and Matt Healy also impressed in this area. Cian Murphy, Ruairi Keating and Tunde Owolabi leading the line.

If they can bring extra numbers in, start well and stay clear of injuries, it could well be a decent season for the Rebel Army.

First game: Bohemians at home (17/02/23).

About Philip Morrissey

Philip is a Cork City fan for his entire adult life. From bad times to good, whether this was taking on some major European sides or in the First Division. Philip went back to college … View Full Profile