Cork out to make a new mark

NOTHING could more perfectly encapsulate the literal fall-out from a crisis-hit winter for the domestic game than the meeting tonight of two of last season’s Premier Division top four – only this time it will take place in the First Division of the newly named Airtricity League.

At the Brandywell, it’s Derry v Cork, an appealing opening day fixture but not as we know it, both clubs having had to reinvent themselves following their turbulent departures from the top-flight.

For Derry, the transformation has been less seismic. They have retained their manager, Stephen Kenny, the backbone of their team and even the club name. By contrast, the Leesiders – though they may yet retrieve their old name – now trade as Cork City FORAS Co-op, have a new boss in Tommy Dunne and, having shed a host of star names, have spent the past week hastily assembling a lean squad of predominantly young and comparatively inexperienced players with which to do battle in the First Division.

But one of those providing recognisable continuity between then and now is goalkeeper Mark McNulty – currently the squad’s only net-minder.

“It means a lot to me,” said McNulty of the opportunity to help launch a new era for Leeside football. “If you look at Cork City FORAS Co-op, for the fans especially, it’s the same thing really. I think Cork fans are delighted that FORAS have the club now and it’s not under the old owner. The crowds will get bigger, even though it’s First Division, because a lot of people just didn’t want to go to the games last year because of the situation.

“All it was in the papers was ‘trouble in Cork’. People got fed up, decided that they couldn’t be bothered going anymore. But it’s a fresh start now and hopefully there’ll be a big crowd there for the first home game against Waterford next week. I can’t wait for that one, it should be a cracker. And it would be nice to see the people of Cork coming out to support the team.”

With all the negative headlines which Cork attracted last year, it was easy to lose sight of the team’s achievement in finishing a desperately troubled season in third place under Paul Doolin.

“It was unbelievable, to be fair,” said McNulty. “But look at the bunch of lads who were there last year – it was a great squad. It was a pity we couldn’t keep most of that squad together and push Bohs and Rovers a little bit closer. But, under the circumstances, it just shows that what we did on the pitch last year was a top quality thing.”

And all the more so because, McNulty readily admits, it was hard to keep the faith as the turmoil behind the scenes took a very personal toll.

“I can remember getting up some mornings and, oh God, the thought of going in training knowing you hadn’t been paid or thinking you’re going to get paid and then the wages aren’t there. You’d think, ‘what’s the point of working 14 weeks and you receive nothing at the end of it?’ You’d keep yourself going, thinking, ‘maybe tomorrow, maybe tomorrow, maybe tomorrow’. First thing in the dressing room every morning was people wondering if they were going to get paid.”

But the effects of the Cork City collapse remain acute. A brickie by trade, McNulty now finds himself a part-time footballer at the age of 29.

“It looks like I’ll have to go back to work – though there’s not much out there – after five years as a full-time professional footballer,” he said. “I was hoping for another seven or eight years as a full-time footballer. But obviously it’s not to be. Even part time we’ll probably be training Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday evenings.”

And what of the club’s aspirations on the field this season?

“I don’t think people will expect too much from us this year but hopefully we can push on and finish as high up the First Division as possible. We’re going to have a young team, a lot of reserves, but there’s some quality fellows there with a bit of experience too. There’s some good clubs in the First Division this year and it looks like it’s going to be a very tight league. I’d say a lot of people now will be watching the First as closely as they are the Prem.”

And especially tonight when two fallen giants attempt to get back on their feet at the Brandywell.

Kick-off at the Brandywell is at 7.45. In tonight’s other First Division games, Mervue United host Limerick at Terryland Park (7.45), Waterford United face Wexford Youths at the RSC (7.45) and Shelbourne take on Monaghan United at Tolka Park (8.00).