Relegated Cork City set to lose host of club's leading lights 

EXIT DOOR: Aaron Bolger of Cork City in action. Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Cork City are set for an exodus of their top players after suffering a second relegation in four years on Friday.

The Munster derby against Waterford for the relegation/playoff that had been anticipated months ago went the way of the First Division team, after Ronan Coughlan’s extra-time penalty settled a rip-roaring decider before 4,032 fans at Tallaght.

Those of a Cork City persuasion weren’t slow in letting the defeated side know their feelings, the group standing in silence before the masses in the East Stand shipping flak for allowing a second-half lead to be overturned.

City fans would’ve thought two years in the wilderness of the First Division was enough when they claimed the title this time last year.

Fresh investment through Kildare-based businessman Dermot Usher added to the renewed optimism of stability on the pitch too but bar a four-game winning bounce when Liam Buckley stepped in after Colin Healy quit in May they always looked condemned to the playoff marooned second from bottom of the table.

Holland has been part of this recent Cork chapter, firstly as Healy’s assistant, then flanking Buckley and being handed the reins himself in September on an interim basis with their fate all but sealed.

The lack of UEFA Pro License requirement in the First Division allows Holland to assume the job of spearheading the promotion drive, should the search by Usher and Buckley conclude with the local as preferred candidate, but a squad rebuild is inevitable.

Josh Honohan was on his way to champions Shamrock Rovers next season regardless of how the shootout ended while top scorer Ruairi Keating, forced off at half-time on Friday through injury, will be in demand.

Buckley, drafted in as Director of Football, secured the striker on a contract extension in the summer for 2024 but reality will dictate he remains in the Premier. A return to Galway United is unlikely but Derry City, Sligo Rovers and Dundalk are keen should he decide to end his two-year stay.

It seems Damien Duff will finally nab City midfielder Aaron Bolger after trying to lure his fellow Wicklow native back to the east-coast.

The Ireland legend signed a new long-term contract himself at the weekend after Irish businessman Mickey Rourke purchased the 60% shareholding from Acun Ilicali just five months after the Hull City owner had bought the controlling stake to much fanfare. 

Several of the recruits drafted in from abroad are unlikely to return either as a new dynamic is required to escape the much-derided second tier. Once again, only the title winners are guaranteed promotion.

“The fans are so passionate about this club but the way things have gone this season isn’t good enough,” said Holland about the chorus of boos and general supporter anger at the conclusion.

“I’m standing here in front of the cameras but there was a lot leading into what happened tonight. It kills me and the staff.

“I would say it kills the boys inside there but maybe not all of them. I don’t know, don’t know, don’t know. It’s a desperate night for the club and it will be hard to bounce back.

“We did okay in the second half, went 1-0 up but needed to manage the game better. Look, the performance was poor.

“When talking to the lads inside afterwards, I was saying the fans travelled in numbers, people came to watch you play but on the big occasion you didn’t show up. I’m part of that and so are the staff. It’s a dark day for the club.” 

Trips to Mounthawk Park and Ferrycarrig will be difficult to inspire supporters next year but the team is heading for a radical overhaul.

An emotional Holland added: “It will take a long time for me to get over this. I put my heart and soul into this, sacrificing everything including my family and everything and it’s not good enough.

“We’re lacking experience in the team and probably were all season.

“We had an opportunity to fix that during the season and we didn’t. We brought in players that were technically good and all that but it took time for them to get up to speed.

“We have to rebuild. We’ve done it before and will do it again. I was part of the management team that got promoted. I thought the club would kick on but we haven’t and we’ve gone back down again.

“Big decisions must be made in the next few weeks. That’s nothing to do with me, other people will make those, but they have to be right ones.

“It’s a horrible, horrible, horrible day for the club.”