Cork City eye suspended Kerry star Galvin

KERRY football star Paul Galvin is being eyed by eircom League champions Cork City after impressing in a weekend trial game.

City manager Damien Richardson confirmed last night that Galvin, suspended from GAA activity until June, had performed well enough to be invited back for a further trial game this week.

The Kingdom All-Star stressed last night he had kept Kerry coach Jack O’Connor informed of developments.

Finuge’s Galvin was suspended for six months by the North Kerry Board last month, ruling him out of Kerry’s National League plans, and he maintains the move to another code is a simple case of keeping match fit.

“There’s a big difference between gym fitness and match fitness. I’ve had a chat with Damien (Richardson), the Cork City lads have been really sound, and it will help me maintain a bit of sharpness,” he declared.

Galvin lined up in midfield with City’s George O’Callaghan in a squad trial game in Mayfield on Saturday, and scored a goal in the 2-1 victory.

“He’s a natural athlete, has good ball skill and co-ordination,” enthused Richardson. “We’re going to give him another game. He hasn’t played a competitive game in some time, so he was a bit short of fitness in the end. We took him off with about 20 minutes to go, but he didn’t look out of place.”

Galvin hasn’t played much soccer since his inter-county career with Kerry blossomed in 2004, when he won an All-Star for his displays in the Kingdom’s run to their 33rd All-Ireland title. He used play with Listowel Celtic.