O’Flynn turns down offers to stay at City

CORK CITY’S ambitious plans for the next few years convinced star striker John O’Flynn to turn his back on offers from up to four English league clubs and sign a two-year contract with the domestic champions.

Manager Damien Richardson got a late Christmas surprise with the news that the player, whose first-half goal in the title decider against Derry City on November 18 set City on the road to their first league title since 1993, is staying on Leeside.

It was Richardson's powers of persuasion, coupled with his vision for City in the coming years, that prevented the 23-year-old striker from crossing the water to where he was reportedly due to sign for League One side Swansea City.

But Richardson believes any player leaving Cork City has to go "into the Coca Cola Championship at the very least".

Richardson said: "I'm glad to say John had a change of heart. It's great news and also great news in that he is turning down offers in England to stay at Cork that only emphasises the progression this club is making.

"It was the right decision for me, it was the right decision for Cork City, but most importantly I believe it was the best decision for John as well.

"The next two years are very important to John's career. By the end of that contract he will be only 25. The way modern football is going, he can play at least for the next 10 years. He is a fit lad and will get better as time goes on.

"When he gets a little bit more experience and cuteness, he will be an even better player and be able to extend his career."

One of City's greatest bargaining tools was the guarantee of European football next season something none of the English clubs could offer O'Flynn.

"I think the reality of the situation here," explained Richardson, "was if John turned his back and walked away from Cork City, he has walked away from the most exciting phase in the club's history. We're on the verge of Champions League football every footballer wants to play in the Champions League."

Richardson praised O'Flynn's "honesty" and the dignity in which he handled his contract negotiations, but had a few choice words for players' agents.

"I know the way agents operate and I wouldn't be a great lover of agents or advisers, because I always think a player should remain in control of his own destiny on and off the park.

"They can put players under different pressures because they will open opportunities in different locations.

"And then when you go to a club every manager wants to put on the best show possible. The attraction can be great and the temptation can be immense.

"For John to turn his back on his agent and disappoint him by ringing him and saying he is staying at Cork City took some doing."

The change the League of Ireland is set to undergo in the coming years was also mentioned by Richardson in persuading O'Flynn to stay on Leeside.

"I was able to suggest to him that in my opinion another couple of years at Cork City would be the perfect scenario for him. Because in that period of time it's up to myself, up to the chairman, up to Cork City FC and everybody connected with it including John to ensure that the next two years are very, very special.

"And that we can take the club to the next level and hopefully, at the same time, that there will be very exciting changes taking place in eircom League football.

"The FAI will take over the league at the end of next season and that will take football here to a more professional era. It will be a better league.