All Cork City women's team players to be paid for first time in upcoming season

Frank Kelleher said the "standard of player is extremely high" at the club. 

STARTING POINT: For the first time, all players with the Cork City women's team will receive expenses. They will get get an appearance fee and extras for goals, clean sheets and points. Pic: Seb Daly, Sportsfile

Cork City have broken new ground by introducing an appearance and performance pay system for their women’s team players.

Frank Kelleher, who last week returned to the club as manager seven years after resigning in protest at the lack of board support, brokered the deal with club owner Dermot Usher ahead of the new senior season starting on March 8.

The FAI two years ago changed policy to allow clubs grant players professional contracts, a tool primarily availed of by Shamrock Rovers on their return to the female top tier.

City have lagged in this regard but Kelleher was pleased to confirm an equitable framework whereby all 18 in the matchday squad will receive payment.

“We sorted it in the last 10 days,” beamed the Pro License holder who’d return briefly as manager of the men’s team in 2019.

“All women’s players, for the first time, will get expenses to play for this club.

“They get an appearance fee and extras for goals, clean sheets and points.

“It's way better for the club because every player is equally valued. That’s a starting point.

“I like the concept. If we go and win the league, next year is a different situation. We’d be having another conversation with the chairman then.

“But, for now, it makes things easier for me in recruiting and retaining players.” 

Danny Murphy’s abrupt departure – a few weeks after penning a contract extension – deepened the confusion around the squad.

Last year’s finish of ninth in a 12-team league, allied to an FAI Cup semi-final appearance, constituted some level of progress but an exodus of players was inevitable.

So far, 13 are signed up for the 2025 campaign – with one prominent free agent mulling over an offer to return.

Captain Eva Mangan had offers to join English Championship clubs but opted to stay put.

“I’m actually meeting Eva and father on Thursday,” updated the new boss.

“She’s staying in UCC to continue her education. We allowed her time to take it and we believe it’s a great decision.

“Our role is to get her to play for the club and, after a conversation with Dermot Usher, he’s very much on the side of keeping Eva. When you’re in university chasing your education, travel time can have an impact, but we’ll see how the meeting goes.” 

Both Alix Mendez and Orlaith O’Mahony did choose the UK route during the January window, joining Aberdeen and Murphy’s AFC Flyde while Becky Cassin returned to Wexford.

Coming back into the club are Fiana Bradley from Waterford and Ciara Fitzpatrick of Wexford.

“For my ambition in terms of where the club could go next, I didn’t feel I was getting the support,” recalled Kelleher about his 2018 exit.

“We’d won the FAI Cup and I’d identified a couple of players to bring in. They were interested too but I just wasn’t backed.

“What I can see from training in the last three weeks is that the standard of player is extremely high.

“The talent is definitely there; we just need to work on their confidence after a tough few years. You can clearly see these players have been through a coaching process since 14 and 15. We have the raw material to build and I can guarantee my style will be playing on the front foot.”