Farrelly delight as City swoop

FORMER Bohemians player-manager Gareth Farrelly has expressed his delight at the prospect of lining out for Cork City this season.

Following the announcement of his two-year contract, the 31-year old told the club website: “During my days as manager of Bohs, I realised fully the passion that is part and parcel of Cork City. But most importantly of all, the ambitions of the club presented to me by Damien Richardson have whetted my appetite greatly and I look forward to two very productive years with City and becoming a part of the Rebel Army.”

Said City manager Damien Richardson: “I have long been an admirer of Gareth Farrelly and see his elegant football skills as a great catalyst for a successful future.”

Dublin-born Farrelly played in the English top flight with Aston Villa, Everton and Bolton Wanderers, and won seven full caps for Ireland.

It was against Cork City that he made his debut as player-manager for Bohemians in August 2004 but he parted company with the club after a lean spell culminated in their defeat by Shamrock Rovers in the FAI Cup last August. Since then, Farrelly has had spells with Leicester and Blackpool.

With Farrelly in the bag, Damien Richardson is still hopeful of securing the signature of another former Irish international, Colin Healy, as well as those of two or three other players, as City continue their build-up to the start of the new season.

Meanwhile Shelbourne will learn their fate next Monday after they provided the FAI’s club licensing body with the paperwork that could decide the club’s future.

Shels were asked to provide information on the club’s financial situation after the body expressed serious concerns about the club’s stability at a meeting last week.

An FAI spokesperson confirmed the association received the necessary documentation from the Tolka Park club and the issue would be discussed by the committee on Monday next.

A deadline was set for the club to provide the relevant details by yesterday, however they were unable to do so and were granted a 24-hour extension, which they met yesterday.

Shelbourne could face sanctions if it is proved they failed to comply with licensing regulations in former applications for an FAI club licence, with either relegation to the First Division or the imposition of a points penalty from the start of the new season.