Cork City interested in re-signing Sean Maguire says Tim Clancy

“If you’re asking me, would we be interested in signing Sean Maguire? Of course. Obviously," said Clancy on Wednesday.

Wed, 31 Jul, 2024 - 17:24

Andrew Horgan

Cork City manager Tim Clancy has admitted the club are interested in bringing Sean Maguire back to Turner’s Cross.

Maguire is currently available on a free transfer following the expiration of his contract with English League two side Carlisle United.

City, who recently re-signed striker Ruairí Keating from St Patrick’s Athletic on what is believed to be a two-and-a-half-year contract, have received a significant windfall following Jake O’Brien’s transfer from Lyon to Everton and they are already planning ahead for their return to the top tier of Irish football.

The Rebel Army are currently 15 points clear at the top of the First Division with just 11 matches remaining and speaking ahead of Friday’s trip to Treaty United, Clancy was asked, after bringing one fan favourite back to the Cross, if another could follow suit in the near future.

“Listen, I think any club in the country if a player like Sean Maguire became available… there’s nothing, nobody has signed anything, nobody has agreed anything or anything like that.

“If you’re asking me, would we be interested in signing Sean Maguire? Of course. Obviously. He is another player that would be well, well known by the fans here and the connection.

“I think Sean’s over in England at the minute with his family so again I don’t know what’s going on.

“But if Sean became available and was interested in coming home, we would certainly be one of the clubs, in a long line, ready to talk to him.

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

“I’ve not touched base with Sean personally met him or anything like that. But listen, there’s communication constantly with all good players that if they are available, we would certainly like to be in the hunt to sign players that we think would improve the club and help the club going forward.

“Again, Sean is in that category as well, as well as many other players like that. Our intention is to try and sign players that would help our young players for starters, to develop them and give them the structures and experience to develop further.

“If players at the level of Seani become available and are interested in coming home, we would like to sit down in front of them and try and get them here.”

It is believed that John Caulfield, who initially brought Maguire to City, is also keen to be re-united with the 30-year-old forward.

But asked if Keating’s return to City could have an impact on their efforts to land their former number 24, who scored 38 goals in 51 appearances on the way to winning the FAI Cup – he netted the winner deep into extra time against Dundalk in the final in 2016 - and Premier Division title, Clancy responded; “No not in regard to space in the squad or anything like that, no.

“I think the more players we sign of that calibre it would actually encourage other players to come to the club as well.

“I think they look at Ruairí coming back in and it’s a massive signing for us, the success he had and if you can add that with a couple of more, the more high quality players you bring in the more people will want to come and sign here.

“It can only be a benefit to all aspects of the club getting a high profile signing like Ruairí in.”