City and Rambers face off
The SSE Airtricity League Premier Division kicks off this Friday but Cork City FC and Cobh Ramblers FC will have to wait a week to begin their campaigns in the First Division.
The season kicks off for both clubs with an intriguing derby on Friday week in Turner’s Cross with Cork City in reasonable form having beaten Premier Division side Waterford 3-0 and lost narrowly to Finn Harps 1-0 last Saturday in their most recent pre-season friendlies.
The First Division will also feature the new Limerick side Treaty United who open the season with a game against Bray Wanderers.
While Cork City will aim to get promoted back to the Premier Division this season, Cobh were hit by the news late last week that their manager Stuart Ashton will not be allowed to manage in the League of Ireland from the 2022 season although he can manage this season.
The FAI said they will insist that a directive on double jobbing will be fully applied. Ashton works for the FAI as a coordinator of the Cork Education Training Board course for young players.
Cobh Ramblers lost 6-0 to Bohemians in their most recent pre-season friendly.
Both sides have had a large turnover of players but Cork City this month added a Finnish Under 21 international to their squad.
Jonas Häkkinen joins the club after spending two years in Finland, playing last season with FC Haka: “I’m really pleased to be joining the club, and looking forward to getting started. I spoke to Colin a couple of weeks ago and he explained his plans for the club for me. I’m really excited about the coming season.”
City boss Colin Healy welcomed confirmation of Häkkinen’s signing.
“We are very pleased to get Jonas in. He has good experience already at a decent level in Finland and, once we became aware he was available, we were keen to bring him to the club. I am confident he will be a good addition to our group and we are looking forward to getting him in to training.”
Shelbourne are the hot favourites to win the First Division with Galway United tipped to contest the title, along with Bray Wanderers, UCD and Cork City.
One bookmakers has Cork City as joint fourth favourites for the title suggesting that City have a big task in getting promoted this season.
The First Division will comprise of 10 teams, with Shamrock Rovers B dropping out of the league. Athlone Town, Cabinteely and Wexford FC are the other members along with Treaty United.
Cork City host Cobh Ramblers on Friday 26 March at 7.45pm at Turner’s Cross in the SSE Airtricity League First Division season opener.