Richardson finally gets his man as City sign Healy

CORK CITY have finally landed Colin Healy.

After protracted negotiations, the club have signed the former Ireland international on a two-year contract.

The acquisition of 26 year-old Healy, who previously played for Celtic and Sunderland and was recently released by Barnsley after a spell at Bradford, was warmly greeted by City manager Damien Richardson.

“I’m delighted to get there in the end,” he said, “because he’s another quality player added to what I believe is a quality squad.”

Richardson went on: “There is no doubt he was an extraordinary talent when he was younger and I’d like to see him rediscover that scintillating form. I think the style of our team will suit him admirably. He’s six foot three, very mobile, he’s got beautiful silky skills, his passing is excellent, he can score goals and he can defend. So himself and Gareth (Farrelly) are two good additions to the side.”

Falkirk in the SPL had also been courting midfield player Healy and, given that so much player traffic has gone out of the eircom League to Britain in recent months, Richardson believes it’s a feather in the cap of Irish football that Cork have now reversed the trend.

“For once we’ve proved that not only are we serving big players to clubs across the water but we’re also enticing very talented individuals back to the country. That to me is very reassuring.”

Richardson is confident FIFA will clear both Farrelly and Healy to play for Cork even though both players will have been with three different clubs inside the FIFA calendar year which began in June.

“We’re just a little bit out of sync because of our summer soccer but I expect common sense to prevail,” said the manager.

Richardson is still determined to add one or two more players to his squad if possible but is happy with the business the club has done in recent weeks.

“What I want to do is recreate what we had two years ago — a very competitive spirit within the squad,” he said.

Meanwhile, City’s first game of the season will come too soon for John O’ Flynn, who missed much of the last campaign through injury.

Although Richardson is confident the striker will regain full fitness, it won’t be in time for next Monday night’s Setanta Cup game against Dungannon Swifts.

Commented captain Dan Murray: “If John can get back to 100% fitness, he will be like a new signing for us this season.”