Dunne eyes home comforts as Rebel Army set to march on

FOOTBALL on Leeside could be about to get its good name back.

Ahead of Cork City FORAS Co-op’s first home game of the season tonight, against Waterford United, FORAS chairman John O’Sullivan has confirmed that the trust has held talks with the liquidator of Cork City FC Investments Ltd about the possibility of buying the name Cork City Football Club, as well as its associated youth teams.

And while last week’s 1-1 draw in Derry exceeded most people’s expectations, manager Tommy Dunne has appealed for home supporters to give his side time to gel together.

“It’s a new beginning for the club and it’s important that we do everything right in all aspects of the club, both on the playing side and the administrative side,” he said. “The 1-1 draw in Derry showed me the character and the spirit that both the players and the club have and we’re going to try and tap into that one again this week.

“We’re not 100% prepared for the game in a way we’d like but we have to get on with the situation. The Waterford game is a Munster derby and for a lot of players in our squad it will be the first time they’ve turned out in Turner’s Cross in a Cork City FORAS Co-op jersey.

“It gives a new set of challenges. Last week was away from home with no pressure a such. This week, we’ll be looking to try and perform that like bit better when we have the ball.”

And Dunne was last night boosted by the signing of four players: Limerick-born midfielder, Shane Duggan; veteran goalkeeper, Michael Devine; and young forward Rory Morrissey (19) and midfielder David Clancy (22) "

But following confirmation that Declan Edwards, Admir Softic and Samuele Emiliano have not received international clearance and will not be able to play for the club until the transfer window re-opens in the summer, Dunne will once again be limited in his options.

“We got a point that possibly we didn’t expect in the Brandywell so if we can get something from the Waterford game, it would be brilliant as we need to get over these two weeks and then we can start preparing properly.”

Dunne added that he hopes Davin O’Neill, who scored Cork’s goal at the Brandywell, and Ian Turner will have recovered from hamstring and groin problems, respectively, in time for tonight’s game.

Meanwhile, striker Graham Cummins, who has swapped the blue of Waterford for Cork City FORAS Co-op, said that his aim this season is to break his goal tally from last year.

“I got 17 in the league last season but hopefully I can go better than that this time. I played some games at centre back and didn’t have the best disciplinary record, so hopefully now I can try and do better. You need to improve every year and my target is to beat that mark this season.”

And knowing Waterford boss Stephen Henderson well, Cummins has predicted a tough battle at the Cross tonight.

“Waterford are very strong. Hendo always had us well organised on the pitch. We never gave teams easy games and it’s going to be the same on Friday night. They are going to come up here and Hendo won’t be happy playing for a draw – I know him, he’ll want to win.”

United certainly come into the game in upbeat mood, having gotten their season off to a flier last week with a 3-0 victory over Wexford Youths, following which Henderson was full of praise for his players, among them former Cork favourite Liam Kearney.

“He is a little wizard,” said Henderson. “He really came out and showed his true class in the second half. He was brilliant.”

And Henderson warned that his team will be out to spoil the party at Turner’s Cross.

“We’ve got a completely different test against Cork,” he said. “People are saying it’s going to be a great occasion but we’re not there to play an occasion, we’re there to play a soccer match, and it’s really important that the players and the supporters understand that. Friday isn’t about Cork FORAS, it’s about Waterford United trying to get three points, and we have to remain focussed on that.

“A lot of nonsense is being spoken about the new Cork team being weak, but that will not be the case. [They] will be right up there with Shelbourne, Derry City and ourselves, believe me.”

Tickets for the match, priced €10 for adults and €5 for children and OAP’s are available from The Turner’s Cross Tavern, Turner’s Cross; The Horseshoe Inn, Turner’s Cross; and Hally’s Bar, Blackpool.

Elsewhere in the Airtricity League tonight, the Premier Division sees Galway United host Bray Wanderers at Terryland Park (7.45) and Sporting Fingal at home to Sligo Rovers in the Morton Stadium (7.45). And, as well as Cork v Waterford, the First Division fixtures are Limerick v Derry City, Jackman Park (7.45), Finn Harps v Salthill Devon, Finn Park (8.00) and Monaghan United v Shelbourne, Gortakeegan (8.00).

In other domestic news, Drogheda United’s home ground, formerly United Park, will henceforth be known as – wait for it – Hunky Dorys Park, after the club signed a two-year sponsorship deal with the manufacturers of the crinkle-cut crisp.