Cork City's Franco Umeh on verge of Crystal Palace switch 

Only last week, City lost another teen, striker Mark O’Mahony, to Brighton and Hove Albion in a similar arrangement, while first-choice goalkeeper David Harrington has joined Fleetwood Town in England’s League One.

CROSS-CHANNEL MOVE: Archie Davies of Dundalk in action against Franco Umeh of Cork City during the Pre-Season Friendly match at the FAI National Training Centre in Abbotstown, Dublin. Pic: Ben McShane/Sportsfile

Cork City’s teenage attacker Franco Umeh is on the verge of joining Crystal Palace after the Premier League club activated a €75,000 release clause in his contract.

Several English clubs have been monitoring the Ireland U19 international, who broke into City’s first-team in last year’s First Division title-winning campaign in June, and he’s a free path to the UK having turned 18 last week.