City must be at best to take points off Derry, admits Holland

Cian Bargary has returned to training ahead of Cork’s trip north but the Rebel Army will be without Jonas Hakkinen, and Ethon Varian, who is out for the season with an ACL injury, similar to Darragh Crowley’s.

MAKING STRIDES: Cork City's Richie Holland before the SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division match between Cork City and Dundalk at Turner's Cross. Pic: Eóin Noonan/Sportsfile

The mid-season break not only offered Cork City’s interim manager Richie Holland the opportunity to prepare for the crucial second half of the campaign but also the chance to reflect on the first.

So, is he happy with how the first series of fixtures went?