Champs in town for the opener
There will be an early season treat for fans of Cork City FC this Friday evening, when league champions St Patrick’s Athletic arrive at Turner’s Cross for an opening day 7.45pm kick-off against John Caulfield’s Rebel Army, writes DAIRE WALSH.
Speaking at the launch of the 2014 SSE Airtricity League at the Aviva Stadium last Friday, Pat’s right-back Ger O’Brien – a model of consistency during his side’s successful campaign last year – is looking forward to the opening defence of their title, but is under no illusions about the task at hand on the Curragh Road.
“It’s going to be a really tough place to go down in Cork. They’ve a new manager and a lot of new players down there, and they’ll be playing their first competitive game in front of a home crowd.
“We know exactly what we’re going to come into, so we need to be prepared and ready for the game,” O’Brien stated.
“To play in Turner’s Cross is great, but to play there in the first game of the season is going to be brilliant because all teams have a great tradition of bringing their fans out in force for their first game.
“No better place to be than Turner’s Cross, they’re a passionate bunch, but we’re confident going down there. As defending champions we’re there to be shot at, so we know exactly what’s in store for us.”
One of the biggest developments at Richmond Park in the off-season was the unexpected return of Irish international Keith Fahey to the Inchicore club for a third stint.
Like all of the Pat’s squad, O’Brien is delighted that the 16-times capped midfielder has returned to the domestic game, and feels that his presence further enhances the already ferocious competition for places.
“He [Fahey] has obviously had a fantastic couple of years since he has been away. He has won a major competition in the UK [the 2011 Carling Cup]. He has gone on to represent his country on numerous occasions.
“He has slotted into the group like he was never away from Pat’s, and we’re delighted to have him as part of the squad this year.
“You need competition for places. You need people pushing each other, and we have 22, 24 fantastic players. On their day anybody can slot in and nobody would bat an eyelid. It seems Liam [Buckley] has a tough job on his hands picking an 11 every week.”
However, while Pat’s kept themselves busy during the recent transfer window, the Leesiders have also made several acquisitions to their playing staff, and O’Brien believes this will make them a dangerous proposition for all would-be opponents.
“They have some great players. They’ve kept the likes of Gearoid Morrissey. They have Colin Healy. They’ve added Billy Dennehy, Anthony Elding, Liam Kearney, players like that to add to the players that are already there,” O’Brien added.
They’re a good side and they’ll be physical, they’ll be strong. Obviously a new manager is an unknown quantity in our league.
“I’m sure we’ll have our own scouting reports done. We’ll be well prepared when it comes down to it.”