Ireland has been the home of many great talents in the past. However their own league has been languishing down in the lower ranks for quite some years. With the conveyor belt of talent still producing great players, for teams in other countries to exploit, can you boost the reputation of the Irish Clubs on the European stage, and keep some of their talent on home soil?
CPlatts85 takes a look at Cork City, who have been known to produce great youngsters, and their potential to make a mark on a bigger stage.
Background
Club Information:
- Established: 1984
- Stadium: Turners Cross
- Transfer Budget: £0
- Wage Budget: £12,626 p/w (Currently spending £11,200 p/w)
- Corporate Facilities: Fairly basic
- Training Facilities: Adequate
- Data Facilities: Poor
- Youth Facilities: Adequate
- Youth Level: –
- Junior Coaching: Adequate
- Youth Recruitment: Exceptional
Cork City are a team which could be a lot more successful than they are. As the only club in the Premier Division from the second biggest city in Ireland they should be making the most of that. Having brought through the likes of Roy Keane and Dennis Irwin through their youth system in the past, the club surprisingly have only won the league on 3 occasions, the latest coming in 2017. A run of 5 consecutive seasons in Europe has seen the club receive more of the limelight, but still being outshone by Dundalk domestically.
Club Vision
The club wants to develop a youthful squad to start its rebuilding program to get back to the top of Irish football. Signing under 23 players will put you in good stead with the Chairman.
The club main goal is to qualify for Europe year on year and be competitive within the competition. Having struggled to even get past the first round of qualifying it will be seen as success to improve on that.
Surprisingly the only requirement for the league is to be in a position to qualify for Europe. I would have thought challenging for the title would be the goal, but I suppose if you do win the league that will be a huge bonus and will definitely see you stay in the job for years to come.
Squad
Key Player
Daire O’Connor is seen as the best player in the squad. The strong and speedy winger will be the creative threat of the squad. Being only 22 he is only going to improve with age and will be a key player for the squad for years to come.
Fringe Player
Dan Casey will be looking to push himself into first team reckoning. A Strong centre half who is good in the air, Casey should be looking to push the first team centre half pairing and take advantage when selected. At the age of 21 its make or break time to see if he can fulfil the potential he had shown as a youngster at Sunderland.
Potential Star
Connor McCarthy is another strong centre half who is on the brink of the first team. With him and Casey both pushing for a first team slot it could be worthwhile looking at selecting both against lesser opposition to get them the game time they need to fulfil the potential they both have.
Conclusion
Cork City have the potential to be one of, if not, the best team in Ireland. With exceptional youth recruitment there is the potential to find the next Roy Keane, Dennis Irwin, etc. By challenging towards the top end of the league and making any kind of progression in Europe, there is plenty of opportunity to create the best team Ireland has ever had.
