Dolan delighted with Coughlan signing

CORK CITY manager Pat Dolan hailed yesterday’s signing of Derek Coughlan from Bohemians as another important step on the road to making the club “the biggest and the best” in the country.

Coughlan, aged 26, was an FAI Cup winner with Cork in 1998 and last season helped Bohemians to win the League Championship. But he was not involved from early this season and yesterday welcomed his return to his local club. “I don’t regret my time with Bohs. You make your decisions and you live with them and I enjoyed winning a championship with Bohs last season.”

Coughlan initially commuted between Cork and Dublin, a practice facilitated by the co-operation of his employers, Aer Rianta, at Cork Airport, and this season moved to Dublin. He will play as a full-time professional with Cork and, as that position will be reviewed by player and club at the end of the season, he said: “I want to pay tribute to Aer Rianta, I would not have been able to pursue my football career without their on-going encouragement.”