Cork City’s Billy Dennehy is ‘free to explore other options’

Cork City winger Billy Dennehy is not travelling to Reykjavik with the rest of the team for the Europa League qualifier second leg, and looks to have played his last game for the SSE Airtricity League runners-up.

Cork City manager John Caulfield confirmed his absence in an interview on Cork’s Red FM this morning.

“Billy Dennehy isn’t travelling with us,” he said. “I wasn’t going to keep him involved in this match and I’ve let Billy explore other options he has on the table.”

John Caulfield says Billy Dennehy will be allowed to explore other options and will leave the club. Disappointing end to his stay #ccfc84

— Brian Hayes Curtin (@BHayesCurtin) July 7, 2015

So Cork are releasing Billy Dennehy, their top scorer last season and joint top this... Must have been pretty serious falling out.

— Julian Canny (@juliancanny) July 7, 2015

Dennehy, who was the side’s top scorer in the League last season, became involved in an on-pitch altercation with team-mate Mark O’Sullivan during the first leg game in Cork last week - but the manager denied the player’s absence was a direct result of the row.

Billy Dennehy and Mark O'Sullivan at the end of the Cork City/ KR Europa League game tonight. #teammates pic.twitter.com/VAwKVWhIlx

— Dodge (@seidodge) July 2, 2015

“I’ve had a chat with him and I’ve agreed to let him explore other opportunities he may have,” Caulfield said.

“The bottom line for me as the manager is I’ve to do what I believe is right for the club going forward.”

He also refused to definitely say Dennehy had played his last game for the club, but added: "I don’t know. He exploring other options so I’ve left that with him."

A 1-1 draw in the first leg means Cork City go into the match with KR Reykjavik knowing they need to score to stay in the competition.

You can listen back to the interview on the Red FM website.