Gordon Walker: ‘The main reason I went to UCC was because I knew that I’d play every week and that if I did well, I would give myself every chance at signing for Cork City’

Gordon Walker in action for Cork City against Treaty United in July 2021

Gordon Walker in action for Cork City against Treaty United in July 2021 Credit: Steve Alfred

Third-level education football played at a decent level amongst admirable facilities is an appealing prospect for any talented domestic footballer, with Gordon Walker a case in point. Progressing from UCC to Cork City, the 24-year-old defender is now plying his trade in Scotland with Arbroath.

Munster Senior League experience with Carrigaline United and then UCC, where the 2019 MSL Premier Division and the prestigious Collingwood Cup were captured, proved an excellent stepping stone for the young defender.

“I really enjoyed my time at UCC – especially because it was generally like being a full-time footballer,” said Walker when the former Cork City player spoke recently to extratime.com. “We would have two games every week, with college games on a Wednesday, then a league game on the Saturday.

"I think this stood to me in the long run. The main reason I went to UCC was because I knew that I’d play every week and there was a good squad there. It wouldn’t hinder my development at the age of 18/19 and I knew that if I did well, I would give myself every chance at signing for Cork City.”

Duly fulfilling the aforementioned ambition, via Cobh Ramblers, when approached by then Leeside manager Colin Healy, Gordon instantly became a first-team regular until encountering an injury-interrupted 2022 season.

“Unfortunately injuries are part of the game and can be frustrating. Although I have been quite lucky in a sense, despite the injury I actually had at that time. I was told my season was over, but I was back running within eight weeks and on the pitch 15/16 weeks after … I think a lot of people forget that.

"However, it was a tough time being in the gym every day, but I was determined to get on with it, as all you can do in that situation is just accept what it is and go from there.”

2023 became Walker’s first campaign in the League of Ireland Premier Division, which ultimately ended in relegation after a play-off final loss against Munster rivals Waterford FC.

“Yeah, it was tough, with opposition of a much higher quality. I don’t think that I played in any relatively easy game last year. The step up is big, as nearly everyone in the league now trains full-time, meaning players are fitter, sharper and stronger, so you have to be on your best game every week ”

At the beginning of this year the Corkman put pen to paper for Scottish side Arbroath FC and had to get used to new and different surroundings.



“I had a few conversations with the gaffer here (Jim McIntyre) at Christmas time, when my contract was up at Cork. I wanted to try something new and the manager here really expressed how much he wanted me. We went through his ideas on where he sees me in his team and so forth, and it ticked a lot of boxes for me.

"I’m settling in quite good. The boys have all been top class with me, as well as the gaffer and his backroom team. I’m probably the happiest that I’ve been in about 12-18 months, if I’m being brutally honest."

At the time of writing, Arbroath are bottom of the Scottish Championship, but Gordon remains optimistic about their ability to pull away from the relegation zone before the season’s conclusion.

“I’ve signed an 18-month deal, but I’ve not really looked further than these remaining league games. We’ve got a huge task on our hands to avoid relegation, but we’ve got a great dressing room full of people pulling together in the same direction, to try and get out of it.

"Now that we’ve got more bodies back from injury, hopefully we can kick on, go on a run and pull away from the bottom.”

About Dan Lucey

Dan Lucey is an interviewer for extraTime.com. He has penned articles for both Cork City and Luton Town’s official programmes.

Dan has written numerous interviews and was a regular attendee at League … View Full Profile