All change at City

It's just a few weeks since the season ended, but Cork City FC have been making a number of changes to their squad ahead of 2020. The latest signings include under 19 players Rory Doyle and Dale Holland who have both signed their first professional contracts at the club.

The midfielders both featured for the senior team towards the end of the 2019 season, with the duo making cameos in the league in the final stages of the season. They become the latest players to come through the club’s academy and sign professional deals, following under 19 teammates David Harrington and Cian Murphy, who re-signed last week.

Doyle said: “I’m delighted, I grew up supporting Cork City. The pathway is there so I’m delighted to get in. Neale brought a few of us in training, and since I finished my Leaving Cert, I’ve been training full-time for the last few months and I’m loving it to be honest.”

City boss Neale Fenn welcomed the addition of the players, commenting on the impact Colin Healy and the other staff have had on producing players for the first team: “It just shows the good work he’s doing at the club. He’s got players coming through the 19s, and getting professional contracts. There’s a pathway into the first team and players can have long, successful careers in professional football. I think it’s a credit to him and all the underage staff at the club.”

Furthermore Cian Coleman recently re-joined the club, becoming Fenn’s first new signing since taking the reigns at City. He returns to the club after a three year absence that saw him play for Cobh Ramblers, Limerick and St Patrick’s Athletic.

Elsewhere the club also confirmed that that Graham Cummins was departing the club. The striker spent the second half of the season on loan at Shamrock Rovers, and with his contract at City ending, the club wish Cummins all the best for the future. Other recent departures include Kevin O’Connor, Mark O’Sullivan, Pierce Philips, Karl Sheppard, Colm Horgan, Joel Coustrain and Eoghan Stokes.