Cork City already putting Jake O’Brien windfall to good use

HOME SWEET HOME: Ruairi Keating is back at Cork City. Pic: ©INPHO/Tom Maher

Cork City are already putting their Jake O’Brien windfall to use by prising Ruairí Keating back to Leeside on a long-term contract.

The imminent transfer of O’Brien from Olympique Lyon to Everton for €24m deal entitles City to a share of the 5% portion assigned to former clubs under Fifa’s solidarity framework.

That scheme, which rewards clubs who developed talent between the ages of 12 and 21, activates when players aged 23 or below are transferred between clubs internationally. O’Brien turns 24 next May.

Depending on the exact fee brokered, subject to milestones, the figure equates to between €1m-1.2m Accordingly, his hometown club of Youghal United will benefit, as will Lakewood United, the club he switched to at 13.

Cork City’s cut will work out at approximately €350,000, given he spent three years at Turner’s Cross before Crystal Palace swooped in 2021, initially as a loan arrangement.

This transaction soars City’s overall income for O’Brien close to the half a million mark. In keeping with policy for all young players they sell, a sell-on clause formed part of the Palace package, banking a 15% portion of the €1.2m Lyon paid to the English club last year. Both outfits as part of John Textor’s Eagle Football Holdings multi-club portfolio.

The 6’6” centre-back thrived for Lyon last season, his promotion to the team coinciding with a resurgence that peaked with a French Cup final appearance and European qualification.

That ascent – coupled with his breakthrough into the Ireland team for the June friendlies – provoked a clamour of interest, with suitors across Europe’s top leagues including him on their wishlist.

A 23-year-old left-sided centre-back of his calibre is a rare commodity clubs are willing to splash out on.

Lyon slapped a €24m price tag on their prize asset, causing Wolves to baulk at the prospect of hatching a deal.

Everton had failed in a late January transfer window bid for O’Brien and remained an active option once Lyon had to entertain offers amid financial fair play regulations.

Brentford had also registered their interest, but the Toffees got their man, agreeing a fee and arranging a medical on Merseyside for Monday.

O’Brien has always held ambitions of testing himself in England again and he joins Ireland captain Seamus Coleman on Merseyside a year out from Everton moving into their new 52,000-capacity Bramley Moore Dock stadium.

Sean Dyche will look to pair his new recruit with Jarrad Branthwaite, the England defender he continues to resist overtures from Manchester United this summer to sign.

City were already willing to shell out for the right player in this window before this financial boost ensued.

Although the Rebels are cruising to the First Division title and promotion, 15 points ahead with 11 games left, only last week boss Tim Clancy cited the inflated wage market as an impediment to entice top-flight players.

Nevertheless, Keating held an emotional attachment to City from his two successful years at Turner’s Cross and his unhappiness at the situation he found himself at St Patrick’s Athletic presented an opportunity as the domestic deadline loomed on Sunday night.

Keating (29) left Leeside last November at the end of a season that St Pat’s won the FAI Cup and City were relegated but his move to Dublin hasn’t worked out.

Despite scoring in the win over Shamrock Rovers, his last appearance was on July 4 against Waterford, a defeat he was substituted in.

Stephen Kenny was appointed to the Saints hotseat in May and left the striker on the bench for last week’s 3-1 Uefa Conference League win over FC Vaduz, a first leg advantage they take to Liechtenstein on Thursday. He has agreed to terminate Keating’s contract by mutual consent.

As he didn’t feature in St Pat’s’ FAI Cup loss to Derry City last week, Keating is eligible to face the Candystripes in the third round when City play hosts on August 23.

Keating, whose contract runs until the end of 2026, said: “I genuinely can’t explain how happy I am to be back at City. I absolutely loved my time at the club before, and I am absolutely thrilled to be coming back. I just can’t wait to pull on a City jersey and play at Turner’s Cross again in front of the amazing City fans.

"This club is very special to me and I am so, so happy to be back home. I just want to get back to playing football again. I am looking forward to getting into training tomorrow; we have some big games coming up and I cannot wait to get started."

News of Keating’s arrival follows confirmation over the weekend of Sean Murray converting his loan move from Glentoran to permanent. Clubs can still add free agents to their squads.

Kenny is in the throes of a rebuild and is set to fill Keating’s vacancy with the capture of Aidan Keena ahead of Saints’ trip abroad.

The Mullingar man had a brief spell at Richmond Park before joining Hearts as a teen – then playing for Kenny at Ireland U21 level – but is more closely and recently associated with Sligo Rovers.

He was their top scorer during 2022 before English League One club Cheltenham Town invoked a release clause of €85,000.

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