Lenihan commits to Cork

Cork City have begun the task of tying up players for next season, with Irish U19 prospect Brian Lenihan committing himself to the club until 2014.

With the bulk of City's current squad out of contract at the end of the campaign, manager Tommy Dunne has already opened talks with several players well in advance of next year, Lenihan becoming the first to extend his stay.

The central midfielder joined the club from College Corinthians in June after finishing his Leaving Cert, making an impact from the bench and in mid-season friendlies, while also earning a call-up to Paul Doolin's Republic of Ireland U19 side for a friendly against Latvia last month.

He did enough to impress the former City and Drogheda manager as Doolin included him in his squad for the upcoming Uefa U19 Championship qualifiers yesterday, with clubmates Jason Forde and John Kavanagh placed on standby.

“I have enjoyed my time at Cork City so far and I am pleased to have agreed a new contract. Since coming to the club I have had a couple of chances in the first team and have also been called up to the international squad, so I am delighted to have signed," Lenihan said.

Meanwhile, Dunne has confirmed that striker Andy O'Connell has gone on loan to Munster Senior League outfit Corinthians until the New Year. “It is a chance for Andy to get some game time between now and pre-season next year when he will come back to our group," Dunne said. "He joins Stephen Carroll and Eoghan Murphy at Corinthians and I look forward to following their progress there.”