Cork City Preview 2012

Last season: First (First Division)

In: Dan Murray (Shamrock Rovers), Johnny Dunleavy (Wolverhampton Wanderers), Shane O’Connor (Ipswich Town), Colin Healy (Ipswich Town), Daryl Horgan (Sligo Rovers), Kevin Murray (Waterford United), Tadhg Purcell (Northampton Town – loan)

Out: Graham Cummins (Preston North End), Vincent Escudé-Candau (released), Peter Krzanowski (released), Greg O’Halloran (released)

Manager: Tommy Dunne

Stadium: Turner’s Cross

After the heroics of last season, Graham Cummins’ 94^th minute winner at Tolka Park stealing the First Division title from the hands of already promoted Shelbourne, the hype surrounding Cork City on Leeside is already a little staggering before a ball is kicked.

Cummins, however, has moved to Preston North End and although Dan Murray and Colin Healy have returned, along with exciting young prospects like Shane O’Connor and Johnny Dunleavy linking up with Tommy Dunne’s team, they might struggle for goals.

Tadhg Purcell has been brought in on loan from Northampton Town but he has struggled with injuries the past 18 months and questions remain over whether he can reproduced the form which earned him a move cross-channel in the first place. Davin O’Neill will have a lot of hopes resting on his shoulders too, while the industrious but goal-shy Vinny Sullivan will be expected to provide more goals than he did in 2011.

In all other departments, City look well stocked. A solid defence with captain Murray back in the ranks along with promising Donegal right-back Dunleavy and stalwart Danny Murphy on the opposite side with either Gavin Kavanagh or Kalen Spillane partnering Murray, should be enough to see Mark McNulty claim plenty of clean-sheets during the campaign.

O’Connor and Daryl Horgan, who made his loan move from Sligo Rovers permanent in the winter, look set to shine on the wing, while there are plenty of options in the engine room with Colin Healy joining last year’s star duo Gearóid Morrissey and Shane Duggan in that area of the field.

Apart from Cummins, City have lost last year’s captain Greg O’Halloran, Vincent Escudé-Candau  and third goalkeeper Peter Krzanowski but there is certainly the nucleus of a good squad here and they should manage a top half finish with maybe a cup run thrown into the mix too.

ExtraTime.ie Prediction: 5^th