Kavanagh delighted with Leeside switch

The domestic season may be over, but a busy week continued today as Cork City finally got their man with the signing of Daryl Kavanagh from Shamrock Rovers. Cork City came close to signing the striker from Carrick On Suir last year only to see him instead make the switch to then league champions – a move which the 26 year old will admit didn’t work out for him. Extratime.ie caught up with Kavanagh this evening and first asked him what was it that attracted him to a move Leeside.

“I always knew Cork was a good club starting off. It’s not nice to leave a big club like Shamrock Rovers, but it just didn’t happen for me there. I had it in my head that I wanted to start fresh this year.

“I spoke to Tommy last year, and Tommy got onto me a few weeks ago and we had a good chat. I met with Tommy and everything just seemed right for me to join Cork City. I had it in my head, and I always have had that Cork is a big club. So I’m delighted to be there at the moment.”

In a league with a culture of one-year contracts, Kavanagh’s two year deal is unfortunately somewhat of rarity but something that was important to the new Cork City striker.

“That was a big thing for me. It was something that I would have been looking for anyway, no matter what club I ended up signing with. I think it’s important that players get that stability.

“It’s like you have a two year plan set out for yourself as well as the club. I think it needs to be brought a bit more into the league anyway. There’s players out there that are three quarters of a way through a season wondering where they’re going to be next year. A lot of manager’s these days are getting two years or three years and I don’t see why players shouldn’t get it.”

This season saw the Rebel Army mark a two year exile from the top flight with a respectable sixth place finish not to mention securing a place in next year’s Setanta Cup. Kavanagh believes Cork City can aim even higher next season.

“They needed to get settled back in last year, and they did well doing that. There was a stage there they were thirteen games unbeaten, and a lot of them games were draws. That’s why they didn’t pick up the points.

“I think this year they will make a statement in the league. Maybe you could even see a cup final or something as well, you don’t know.”

Kavanagh’s signing has been greeted on Leeside with optimism. Phrases like “a statement of intent” and “marquee signing” are being used to describe this morning’s unveiling at the Cork City store in Carroll’s, Patrick Street. Extratime.ie asked Kavanagh did he feel expectation like this placed any extra pressure on him.

“Not at all. To be honest, I can see that’s what Tommy’s aim is anyway, even if he’s not signing me. When I spoke to him he felt Cork could have done better last year even though they did do well first year back. But that’s his aim, they want to do things.

“That’s why I signed here. I do believe that with the squad Tommy has here and the few players he’d like to bring in, we can do something this year. And that’s why I’m here. It’s realistic to think that Cork can do something next year.

“But it’s not just defined on myself. I think Tommy’s aim was to send out a statement that they do want to do well and I think that the club and the squad that’s there has the ability to do that."

Though Kavanagh will move to Cork, this transfer sees him move closer to his native Tipperary. He is also familiar with some of the Cork City squad but all that considered Kavanagh still considers the draw of a big club like Cork City the crucial part in his decision.

“I played with Kevin [Murray], I played with Vinny Sullivan down there, I played with a few of the other lads. My parents travel to all the games anyway. It’s a lot easier for them on that side but as I mentioned earlier Cork is a massive club and always has been in the league.

“I’m on a two year deal. Cork is only going to improve and I want to be a part of that.”