Eamonn O’Keefe: My mad experience at Cork City... and how John Delaney saved my leg

Former Republic of Ireland international Eamonn O’Keefe had a fine career, including spells at Everton, Wigan, and Blackpool. In 1987, he took over as player-manager of Cork City, winning the club’s first national trophy. It was a colourful experience, as O’Keefe explains in his gem of an autobiography, ‘I Only Wanted to Play Football'

Former Cork City manager Eamonn O’Keefe at the launch of his book ‘I Only Wanted to Play Football at the River Lee hotel with former Cork City players Pat Duggan and Dave Barry in 2010. Picture: Eddie O’Hare

I RECEIVED a phone call from the Commander (Harry McNally, the manager of Chester City) asking me whether, because of my international career, I still had any contacts in Ireland as, now that Harry was manager of Chester, he was looking to organise some pre-season games.

I made a few phone calls and I managed to secure two games — one with Waterford United and another with Cork City. The Commander was delighted. God help Ireland, I thought, as I informed Harry of the details — the dates and the phone numbers of the chairmen of both the Irish teams. On his return, I asked him how he had got on.