Lenihan leans towards making Hull new home

Hull City are believed to be on the brink of signing Brian Lenihan, although confirmation of the deal, which Cork City had expected yesterday, had not come through last night.

With Championship side Brighton also having made a strong pitch for the player, the 20-year-old spent time at both clubs this week and, yesterday, the indications were that he was leaning towards the Premier League side.

Hull manager Steve Bruce had openly expressed his interest in Lenihan when the full-back was being closely watched by a number of clubs in England, but Brighton were the first to have an offer accepted by Cork.

Hull then tabled their own offer, leaving the player and his advisors with a big decision to make. If the Hull deal is confirmed then Lenihan will join a club with an already strong Irish playing presence in the form of Robbie Brady, Paul McShane, Stephen Quinn and Lenihan’s fellow Corkman David Meyler.

Cork manager John Caulfield revealed yesterday that Lenihan had texted him saying he had hoped to have the issue settled by last night.