Ruairí Keating: It’s really exciting, I can’t wait to start playing with Seani Maguire

Keating and Maguire will both be involved for Cork City when they host Athlone Town on Friday night.

Wed, 07 Aug, 2024 - 19:00

Andrew Horgan

The spotlight shone on Ruairí Keating and his eagerly anticipated return to Turner’s Cross in a Cork City shirt for nine days until Seani Maguire mostly assumed control of it.

But Keating doesn’t mind that one bit.

“It's all good. I'm just excited to get him in the door and see him and get playing with him, I'm sure it'll be special,” admits Keating, although he may not be as welcoming if City are given a penalty on Friday night, and they are both on the pitch.

“Tim (Clancy) will have to have the final say on that, but I’ll be putting my hand up, we’ll see what Seani says,” adds the 29-year-old.

Keating and Maguire will both be involved for City – Maguire’s minutes may be limited as he hadn’t trained fully with the club as of Wednesday - when Athlone Town head to the Cross for a First Division fixture that has been selling tickets a lot faster in the last couple of days than it had been previously, even though it was always billed as being first vs second in the table, although there are 15 points between the two.

Keating’s return, followed swiftly by Maguire’s, has the City faithful rubbing their hands together at the prospect of seeing two of their favourite ever strikers link up.

Cork City make major statement of intent with Seani Maguire signing

'It feels like home' - Ruairí Keating delighted to return to Cork City

And as mentioned previously, it is also a prospect that the new (somewhat) number nine is also relishing although this isn't the first time they have been teammates.

"I came through the academy at Sligo when he was on loan from West Ham so I spent a half a season with him," says Keating.

"I know all about him, I’m good friends with one of his best buddies. We have mutual friends. I have followed his career and am sure I can learn a thing or two off him.

“I’m very excited. It’s unbelievable. Who would have thought six months ago that the two of us would be here playing together. It’s really exciting and I can’t wait to start playing with him.

“I suppose when you are a striker for Cork City and you score some goals, I don’t think they ever forget.

“The season I had last year, how they warmed to me, and the couple of seasons Seani had here and the success they had, I don’t think that goes away.

“It’s a very unique position, playing up front, and when somebody comes in the door and does well, everybody loves that number nine. For the two of us to be here together, it’s going to be really special, and I can’t wait.

“It's huge. It just shows the size of the club and what it means to people, how brilliant Cork can be.

“To be back in the Premier next year with the two of us over the line, it only shows where the club wants to go. We want to get back to Europe and challenging for (Premier) leagues again.”