Cork City supporters to go it alone

THE consortium which had wanted to buy Cork City before the club was wound up after failing to get a League of Ireland license has confirmed that it will not be investing in Cork City FORAS Co-op.

Businessmen Peter Gray and Michael O’Connell had hoped they could offer financial clout and business expertise to the fans-owned club but, after early negotiations failed to produce results, have withdrawn any professional interest in the new set-up.

A spokesperson for the group said: “After our joint bid with FORAS to save Cork City FC failed, we had hoped the group might move forward together in support of the new club as it began life in the first division. We now feel it is better for all concerned that we withdraw our interest and allow FORAS to focus on the task of running the club and the supporters trust. Every member of the group is a Cork City fan and we all look forward to being at Turner’s Cross supporting the team. We would like to wish FORAS, Tommy Dunne and the team all the very best for the future.”

Meanwhile former City striker Kevin Doyle has spoken of his sadness at the current plight of football on Leeside. “It is very sad,” said the Wolves player. “When I was there the club never had any financial difficulties. It was always said you were always safe at Cork because there were other clubs that you weren’t.”

Doyle scored 25 goals in 75 appearances for Cork before joining Reading in June 2005 as his team-mates were winning the Premier League. He was sold to Wolves in the close season for €7.6m and has so far earned 28 senior Irish international caps.

“I don’t know where it all went wrong (for City),” Doyle lamented. “But it is very disappointing because it was always a massive part of me developing as a footballer and I am sad to see it.”