Murray adamant Cork City 'will come into their own' after statement Cobh win

For on-loan midfielder Sean Murray - in his first season on Leeside - the buzz around Bishopstown and Turner's Cross hasn't gone unnoticed.

Thu, 16 May, 2024 - 08:52

Shane Donovan

There is a sense of something building inside the walls of Cork City's Bishopstown training base. With 15 games played in this season's First Division, they are currently on an unbeaten run that stretches right back to the opening night of the campaign.

Thirty of their 35-point accumulation has been accounted for by victories.

For on-loan midfielder Sean Murray - in his first season on Leeside - the buzz around Bishopstown and Turner's Cross hasn't gone unnoticed.

It's something they've constructed themselves, the latest building block an impressive 3-0 win over neighbours Cobh Ramblers last time out.

"It's not just the wins and the position in the league," Murray said. "We've put in some good performances in the last couple of games.

"I'd say Cobh was probably our best performance on the ball, moving it around, it's getting to be really enjoyable to play in the team.

"Even the Kerry game away on the artificial pitch, we played some good stuff as well. Obviously, the grass pitches are improving as well so I feel like this is the time of the season where we are really going to come into our own and put in some good performances."

Continued involvement has allowed Murray and fellow midfielder Barry Coffey have a bigger goalscoring impact on their side of late. Former Watford and Dundalk man Murray has contributed two in his last four, while the latter has three in his last two.

"I always knew I wanted to get some goals. It was a slow start, but now I've got used to the league and my teammates, I'm getting into some good positions (to score) now, I'd obviously like to chip in more and help the team."

The last five outings have seen goals arrive from all corners of the pitch, be that from centre-halves Cian Coleman and Charlie Lyons, acting left-back Evan McLaughlin, or midfield duo Murray and Coffey.

That sharing of the load is a needed characteristic of a title-winner, as City manager Tim Clancy earmarked previous to the season's kick-off.

"At the start of the season, that's what the gaffer said," the 30-year-old pointed out. "He was bringing in players that can get goals from different areas.

"So, Barry (Coffey), myself, Jack (Doherty), everyone is chipping in with the goals and from set-pieces, we've been brilliant as well, that gets us over the line in a lot of games as well."

With long-term injury absentees Matthew Kiernan and Malik Dijksteel, as well as striker Jack Doherty, nearing returns, the squad has never looked healthier.

Murray insists that squad depth is a luxury now bearing fruit.

"Even today, training was really competitive. There are places up for grabs and boys want to be playing. You see the squad, even the young lads coming in are unbelievable. "