Dennehy joins Cork exodus

BILLY DENNEHY has become the latest player to leave Cork City.

The Tralee-born winger, who joined City from Derry at the beginning of last year, has cancelled his contract with the club by mutual consent, the Professional Footballers' Association of Ireland announced yesterday.

Dennehy said: “I’d like to thank the supporters and my team-mates for an enjoyable season in 2009 which ended with us qualifying for the Europa League.

“I had no choice but to look out for my own future career and I hope to have my future sorted out in the next week or two, and I’m looking forward to getting back on to the training ground soon. I wish Cork City Football Club all the best for the future.”

It is also understood that team captain Dan Murray and fellow defender Danny Murphy are leaving the club after almost 15 years of service between them.

While it remains to be seen if embattled Cork can actually play in the Europa League next season, it has emerged there is now a possibility that either Galway United or Drogheda United will gain an additional Irish place in the same competition.

Yesterday, the FAI welcomed the latest UEFA Respect Fair Play Rankings which show that Ireland is in fifth place, just .01 points behind third-placed England. With the top three countries set to be rewarded with an additional Europa League place, the League of Ireland is within striking distance of claiming an extra spot.

The additional place would be awarded on the basis of the League of Ireland’s Fair Play table. As in the league itself, Bohemians finished top of that table, with Shamrock Rovers in second place.

As both of these clubs have already qualified for European competition next season, the additional place would go to either Drogheda or Galway, who finished in joint third position in the League of Ireland Fair Play table.

A draw would determine who would take that place.