Captain Murray signs a new deal

Cork City skipper Dan Murray has signed a new two-year contract with the league champions to take him up to the end of the 2008 season.

The 24-year-old Cambridge-born defender, first appointed club captain under Pat Dolan’s reign, put pen to paper on a new deal today.

“I never wanted to leave and I was ready to sign up a month ago so it’s a relief to have the contract out of the way now and we can concentrate on the football again,” said Murray, who is on his fourth consecutive season in Cork

“I am delighted to have signed my new deal and it’s all sorted out now.

“I am well settled here in Cork at this stage. I hope I have set an example now for lads like Neale Fenn and Neal Horgan whose contracts are up at the end of the season.

“In the past, Cork have been a little remiss and let contracts run out but hopefully this is the start of a new trend and we can get players’ contracts sorted well before the end of the season. It’s the way forward for the club,” said Murray, who served under Liam Murphy, Pat Dolan and Richardson and lifted the league trophy for the first time last year.

Cork flew to Dublin early this morning for tonight’s league clash with Drogheda United but vice- captain Joe Gamble is suspended.

Billy Woods will come in for him on the wing as Cork hope to end a four-game draw sequence with a win on the road.

Cork City (4-4-2): Devine; Horgan, Bennett, Murray (Capt.), Murphy; O’Donovan, O’Brien, Softic, Woods; Fenn & Behan.

Article courtesy of The Evening Echo newspaper