Latest news with #Leesider
RTÉ News
01-08-2025
- Sport
- RTÉ News
Josh Fitzpatrick rocket earns spirited Cork City victory
It's been a long time coming, but Ger Nash finally gained his first SSE Airtricity Men's Premier Division win as Cork City manager at the 10th attempt. Josh Fitzpatrick's first goal for his hometown club, combined with City's second clean sheet of the season, was enough to break their duck against John Caulfield's Galway United. In all, City had gone 14 games dating back to April without a league victory. Their slim hopes of avoiding relegation require much more of the same as they remain eight points behind Sligo Rovers. If the Bit O'Red win their game in hand against Shelbourne, Galway could be dragged into the relegation play-off berth before the weekend is out. After coughing up a two-goal lead against Sligo, City's tailspin appeared to continue during the week as they lost Milan Mbeng to Shelbourne, Malik Dijksteel to St Mirren, and Cathal O'Sullivan to a serious knee injury. Nash kept changes to a minimum with Alex Nolan replacing O'Sullivan. Caulfield overhauled more than half his team following their 4-2 defeat to Waterford. Brendan Clarke returned between the posts, joined by former City players Jimmy Keohane, Garry Buckley, and Colm Horgan, ex-Cobh stalwart David Hurley, plus Dara McGuinness. Another former Leesider, Stephen Dooley, signed midweek, but didn't feature here. City replicated their rapid start against Sligo Rovers by netting their fastest goal of the season in little over four minutes. After Harry Nevin's good work down the right, they switched the ball via Matthew Kiernan to Fitzpatrick on the other flank. He took two touches to tee up a 25-yard rocket, which roared into the far bottom corner. Josh Fitzpatrick fires Cork City in front from 25 yards out!🚀 — League of Ireland (@LeagueofIreland) August 1, 2025 The young winger's first professional goal will rank high on the club's goal of the season shortlist. But captain Fiacre Kelleher limped off injured after a penalty appeal as Galway upped the ante. They almost caught their hosts cold with a training-ground corner-kick routine. However, Keohane's fierce effort was deflected over by his teammate Edward McCarthy. More pressure down the flanks led to a Stephen Walsh header, which drew a sharp reaction save from Conor Brann. The keeper later denied a glancing Horgan header from another set piece, while Keohane couldn't connect with a through ball. Caulfield called on returning midfielder Patrick Hickey at half-time, but City started stronger by feeding off Galway errors. Kitt Nelson dragged a shot wide before sliding in Evan McLaughlin, who was denied by Hurley's block. The Tribesmen were struggling to come up with any response, although nerves were bound to set in for City. It all unravelled from the hour mark against Sligo, and they had a scare here in the same minute. However, Hickey was flagged offside before finishing to the net. Before long, the American forged a point-blank chance under a long ball. It whizzed wide, although a corner was awarded for an apparent nick off of Rory Feely. The centre-back also got in the way of a Hurley blast. Despite some anxious moments under Galway's aerial bombardment, five yellow cards, and nine minutes of added time, City held out with last-gasp goalline blocks from Walsh and Hurley. Cork City: Conor Brann; Harry Nevin, Rory Feely, Fiacre Kelleher (Freddie Anderson 28), Matthew Kiernan; Darragh Crowley, Evan McLaughlin; Alex Nolan (Charlie Lutz 63), Kitt Nelson (Kaedyn Kamara 63), Josh Fitzpatrick (Benny Couto 90+2); Seani Maguire. Galway United: Brendan Clarke; Jeannot Esua, Garry Buckley, Rob Slevin, Bobby Burns (Axel Piesold 81); Jimmy Keohane (Vincent Borden 71), Colm Horgan (Patrick Hickey 46), David Hurley, Edward McCarthy (Aaron Bolger 57); Stephen Walsh, Dara McGuinness (Killian Brouder 71).
Irish Examiner
29-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork City's Cathal O'Sullivan ruled out for several months with ACL injury
Cork City's teenage tyro Cathal O'Sullivan has suffered another anterior cruciate ligament rupture, ruling him out for the rest of the season. The winger left the Turner's Cross after 20 minutes of last Friday's defeat to Sligo Rovers clutching his left knee and scans have confirmed the bad news of a prolonged layoff. The Leesider only returned from a long ACL layoff last year to help City win the First Division and secure an immediate top-flight return. Despite a season of struggle for City in which they remain 11 points adrift of the foot of the table, O'Sullivan's displays have been a rare bright spot. He made his Ireland U21 debut during the summer window. Crystal Palace were leading the race to recruit the 18-year-old after he'd visited the club recently with his family but any move will be put on hold while he recuperates from this latest devastating blow. City manager Gerard Nash said the player who'd made 21 Premier appearances this season: 'We are all absolutely gutted for Cathal to have suffered this injury. "As everybody knows, he is a really talented player with a very promising future, so this is a big setback for him, but we will all rally around him and support him. "I have no doubt that he will come back stronger from this, and we will all support him in doing so.'
Irish Examiner
14-07-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Anthony Fennelly moves to Derry City following Cork City exit
Former Cork City goalkeeper and coach Anthony Fennelly is back on the League of Ireland circuit after being headhunted by Derry City. Fennelly's long association with his hometown club came to an end last month when new City manager Ger Nash decided to freshen his staff up by replacing Fennelly with Mark McNulty as goalkeeping coach. Derry City – currently third in the Premier Division – have swooped to snap up with the man who also runs his own Fitness and Recovery Suite in Cork. The Leesider was recruited by manager Tiernan Lynch to fill the vacancy created by Michael Dougherty recently moving to Coleraine. As a player, Fennelly was part of the St Patrick's Athletic team who won the Premier League title in 1999 and he also has four First Division winners' medals from various spells at Waterford, Cork, Dundalk and Athlone. As well as the goalkeeping role, he also spent several seasons as assistant manager of Limerick. He will return to Markets Field this Friday for Derry's FAI Cup tie against Treaty United. 'I've been involved at Cork City on and off for the past 13 years so it probably looks like a bit of a leap from one end of the country to the other,' Fennelly said on Monday. Read More Cobh Ramblers under new ownership following chaotic end to FC32 reign 'The fact is though that there are so many similarities between the two clubs and indeed the two cities. 'I have been at the Brandywell many times in my career and it's very much the same feel, between the fans, the atmosphere and a real passion for their football club.' He explained how the move came about. 'After the new management team came in at Cork City, I had several offers from LOI clubs,' he said. 'In my conversation with Tiernan however, and looking at Derry City as a club, I was really taken with the plans they have for the future. 'Tiernan, his brother Seamus and Andy Mitchell have a fantastic desire to drive the club forward and their experience is such a valuable part of that. 'From my early dealings with them I know that my opinions are taken seriously and that's really important to any coach. 'They know how to work with people and when you get that level of respect, it makes you all the more determined to succeed. 'I've only been in a very short time but it's clear to see that there's a fantastic atmosphere in the group. 'We have real quality in the goalkeeping department- not just Brian Maher and Arlo Doherty but genuine potential in the Academy too. 'I'm really looking forward to helping them try to bring success to Derry City over the next few seasons.'
Irish Daily Mirror
20-06-2025
- Business
- Irish Daily Mirror
In pictures - Staff that winning €250m EuroMillions ticket tell of joy
The location where the biggest ever Irish lottery winning ticket was sold has been revealed - and it's right in the heart of Cork City. The ticket was sold at Clifford's Centra on Shandon Street in the days before the big draw, but there is no information yet about who the very lucky Leesider was. There are indications that they may have chosen to remain anonymous but the National Lottery will reveal more details this morning with the official press conference. It's great news for the Shandon Street shop that made the sale - as they'll be taking home an impressive bonus of €25,000. Store manager Simon Champ told CorkBeo that there is "fierce excitement" - but when Lotto bosses told him he had sold the winner yesterday - 'I thought they were winding me up". Lotto poll Irish Mirror "We sold a €100,000 winning ticket in the New Year - but this is something else!" he said, as locals crowded into the shop to congratulate him. The excitement has been building on Shandon Street, one local woman, Barbara Philpott, told CorkBeo she was delighted: "I have been living here since I was a child, I'm from Friar Hill. It's great to see someone in our community win it, you can see the joy here this morning, we heard last night it might be a syndicate and that's still going around now. I hope it was won by someone who really needs it!" Check out our photos from the big reveal here or click on our homepage for more reports on the megabucks win. Winning shop owner Ted and his team 1 of 8 Journalists and photographers descended on the shop this morning 2 of 8 Speculation is rife about who the big winner might be 3 of 8 Local woman Barbara Philpott said 'you can see the joy here this morning' 4 of 8
Irish Examiner
12-06-2025
- Sport
- Irish Examiner
Cork City bolster defensive ranks with signing of Fiacre Kelleher
Cork City have snapped up Irish centre-half Fiacre Kelleher on a long-term contract following his departure from Colchester United. City boss Ger Nash has made Kelleher - the older brother of Republic of Ireland No. 1 Caoimhín - his first signing since taking over the managerial reins from Tim Clancy. 29-year-old Kelleher - a former Ireland underage international - has spent the last three seasons at League Two outfit Colchester United, making over 60 appearances, and will join City on July 1. The 6ft 3in Leesider began his career with Avondale United, before signing for Celtic in 2012. Since then, he has represented a number of clubs in the English Football League pyramid, making almost 300 career appearances. Experienced defender Kelleher will be tasked with adding some steel to the City defence, as Nash looks to steer his side to a surge up the table in the second-half of the League of Ireland Premier Division campaign. "It's been a few weeks in the pipeline, so it's nice to get something sorted, and it's something to look forward to come the first of July," Kelleher said. "I've known Ger since I was first on trial in Ipswich years ago, so the minute he phoned me and we had a conversation, I was really excited and keen to get something done." City boss Nash added: "We're getting a very good, experienced player in Fiacre. He's played a lot of football at a good level across the water. "What's really important is type of man that we're getting. I've known Fiacre for a long time. He's had offers and opportunities from clubs in England, but he's desperate to be here, and to play for Cork City. He's really passionate about the club. He's given up a lot to come to us, and we're delighted to have him. He walks into the dressing room as someone who cares passionately about the club." The older Kelleher's move comes hot on the heels of Caomhín's multi-million euro move from Premier League champions Liverpool to Brentford.
