No more football?

The 'Magnificent Irish Fans' have by now all returned from Poland, doubtless bemoaning the fact that there will be no more football for a while. The Poles, meanwhile, are no doubt mourning their early departure while at the same time businesses in Poznan and Gdansk are counting their profits. In the league that doesn’t exist in the minds of many of these people, we took a two week break in order to facilitate them; or was it the FAI bosses we were facilitating?

We didn’t really take a two week break, of course. Bills still had to be paid, players still had to keep fit, and, without fixtures or even media coverage, money still had to be raised to keep the show on the road. 

In Cork City’s case, there’s the usual sale of merchandise and promotion of forthcoming events to keep people behind the scenes busy. One event coming up shortly is the annual six-a-side FORAS Cup, to be held this year at Leisureworld Bishopstown.

The competition starts at 1.30pm on Saturday 30 June and has a prize fund of €500. Entry is €90 for a squad of nine. Anybody wishing to enter a team is asked to contact the club.

Many of the 'Magnificent Irish Fans' are probably still unaware that the domestic football landscape has changed, nor will many care. For those who do, they will already be aware of the sudden withdrawal of Monaghan United from the League. The seventh club in the past decade to exit the League, Mons at least live to fight another day, unlike the last team to exit the league mid-season, Dublin City. In both cases, the withdrawals have had a detrimental effect on Cork City FC, with the loss of points and league placing, in addition to having the budget planning yet again messed up due to circumstances outside the club’s control. 

I’ve got good news for the 'Magnificent Irish Fans' that might cheer them  up; in their most recent competitive match, the Boys In Green played creative, attacking football, after a pretty slow start, and had numerous attempts on goal. They even scored twice and managed not to get hammered!

Who were Ireland playing? Actually, it wasn’t Ireland, it was the other Boys In Green, Cork City FC. It happened last Friday night, a 2-2 draw at home to Derry City. It’s not the end of the football, we’ve got a match every fortnight at Turner’s Cross. You should come along some time; you’ll enjoy it.