Season Preview 2024: Cork City

Head Coach: Tim Clancy.

Stadium: Turner'ss Cross.

Players in: Jack Doherty and Charlie Lyons (Cobh Ramblers), Evan McLaughlin (Derry City), Sean Murray (Glentoran – on loan), Greg Bolger (Sligo Rovers), Brad Wade (Guiseley AFC), Harry Nevin (Peston North End), Aidan Dowling (Larne FC), Nathan Wood (Newport County on loan).

Players out: Josh Honohan (Shamrock Rovers), Ruairi Keating and Aaron Bolger (St. Patrick’s Athletic), Tunde Owolabi (Macclesfield Town), Gordon Walker (Arbroath FC), Joe O’ Brien-Whitmarsh (Southampton), Ethon Varian, Matt Healy and Kevin Custovic (End of loan), Daniel Krezic (Ik Oddevold), Albin Winbo (Released), Jimmy Corcoran (Wexford FC).

extratime.com key player: Darragh Crowley

The capacity to have scoring threats from various positions was key to the success of the 2022 title winning campaign.

The spread of goals last year was a poor return for a side that seemed to have plenty of potential in them. Only Ruairi Keating managed to score into double figures with the second highest trailing in a dismal four each.

It perhaps says much about the side was that the player who finished third was absent for half of the season after a season ending injury against Drogheda.

A broken leg at Weavers Park consigned Darragh Crowley to the sidelines for the rest of the campaign.

It was therefore a boost to hear that he had returned to full training and was one of the first to extend his contract with the club.

Primarily a right-sided player, he was comfortable either in midfield or as full-back when needed. His hard running, pace and adaptability made him the ideal team player to fit into various formations.

The Kinsale native will be expected to provide a reliable platform for those attacking players ahead of him or as protection for John O’ Donovan.

extratime.com one to watch: Jack Doherty

Last season’s recruitment was widely criticised as the takeover extended longer than many had expected and some of those who did arrive were seen as panic moves.

This year Clancy has entered into the loan market, but one of the key arrivals is that of Jack Doherty.

The 29-year-old is a player fans had wanted to sign prior him moving to Cobh Ramblers instead. Doherty will provide the club with the creativity and goal threat they had been lacking last year.

He was the star of a Ramblers side who exceeded expectations by finishing the best of the rest behind Galway and Waterford and taking the latter all the way in the First Division play-off final.

He is equally comfortable playing through the centre as a number 10, or out wide in an attacking front three. Last season saw him really grow into his own as career best figures of 18 goals and eight assists.

How they did last season:

League: Relegated

Despite a poor recruitment from the club due to a protracted takeover, it was actually a solid enough in their first five games.

Narrow defeats to both Bohs and Derry, were followed by their biggest win of the season (4-0) against UCD and draws away to Shamrock Rovers and Sligo Rovers. Both of which they let a two-goal lead slip in.

A draw and a win against Drogheda and Dundalk, relieved some of the pressure after two losses. Form was to dip horribly as they embarked on a six-game losing streak.

The squad was being stretched bare as a number of players suffered long-term injuries and they were forced to rely on academy players. The toll was getting to Colin Healy as he railed against questionable decisions against them.

Liam Buckley arrived as a Director of Football, but Healy departed almost immediately.

The interim management of Buckley, Liam Kearney and Richie Holland did have an upturn in form as they embarked on a four-game winning streak, including a remarkable game at home to eight-man Shamrock Rovers. This lifted them above the relegation zone, and hopes of survival were lifted.

Unfortunately, a run of eight games without a win soon dropped them back into trouble. Failure to gain wins against those around them proving to be their Achilles heel..

A home defeat to Derry and a draw between Drogheda and Sligo Rovers late in the season meant Cork would be unable to catch the sides above them. It was the lottery of the playoffs to come.

A game at Tallaght Stadium stood between staying up or going down. Injuries to Keating and Cian Bargary disrupted their plans, but they seemed to have recovered when Cian Coleman put them ahead in the second half.

They were not ahead for long and Waterford drew themselves level to take the game to extra time. The Blues went in front when Coleman was adjudged to have fouled Ronan Coughlan.

The striker stepped up to give them the lead. Despite a late pressure, City were unable to recover and their fate was sealed.

They cannot say that relegation was unexpected given the stats. Eight wins from 36 games with 21 defeats says a lot.

They were also the second lowest in terms of goals with only UCD worse.

FAI Cup: Semi-Finals

This was perhaps the one shining light of the season and contrary to the inconsistency they showed in the league.

They were drawn away to Munster rivals, Treaty Utd, in the first round. Goals in each half from Josh Honohan and Tunde Owolabi ensured a smooth progression when a shock could have been on the cards.

In a storm affected second round, their encounter with Waterford was rescheduled until the Monday evening. The First Division side might have been slight favourites but they were blown away in the early stages. Ruairi Keating scored after a minute and Honohan made it two within twenty minutes.

The visitors tried to get into the game but Cian Bargary sealed the win with a few minutes to go.

A third First Division side arrived in the quarters. Wexford had been going well in the playoff’s and stunned the home side with an opener just before half time.

A stunning drive from Malik Dijksteel and an injury time winner from Keating put them within reach of the Aviva.

In front of a packed Turner's Cross, it was St. Pat’s who made to the final thanks to an early effort from Mark Doyle and late on via Conor Carty.

What to expect this season:

Does any side in the league have the necessary strength in depth and support to be able to keep up with a potential title challenge?

The past three seasons have seen the strongest side on paper gain automatic promotion.

They have had a decent transfer window with plenty of new faces arriving. Midfield and attack has seen a substantial upgrade in experience with the arrival of Sean Murray, Greg Bolger, Nathan Wood, Jack Doherty and Evan Mclaughlin.

The departure of Ruairi Keating was expected with his impressive form last year, but a striker has yet to be signed to properly replace him. There is uncertainty also in defence given Ally Gilchrist nor Jonas Hakkinen have re-signed for the club.

Netminding was somewhat of a hot potato position last year.

Wags grimly noted that the club had seen more goalkeepers than home wins. Injuries and poor performances saw arrivals chopped and changed on a regular basis.

The highly rated underage English international, Brad Wade, along with Aidan Dowling will be expected to compete for the number one spot.

There was an expectation that Joe O’ Brien-Whitmarsh would get more of a chance to show off his ability but the transfer of the 18-year-old to Southampton (with undisclosed add on’s) does represent good business.

First game: The Rebel Army dip their toes back into the First Division with an entirely new opposition, Kerry FC. The side from the kingdom make their debut appearance at Turners Cross on Friday evening.

Longford Town’s Jack Brady: ‘Understanding how much the club means to people is hugely important to us’ https://t.co/UYujCSO8ghpic.twitter.com/nY4AADjEqp

— Extratime.com (@ExtratimeNews) February 13, 2024