Mid Season Report Card - Cork City

Club: Cork City

Manager: John Caulfield

Stadium: Turners Cross

Highest attendance this season: 5,453 vs Dundalk (June 3rd)

Highest league goalscorer: Sean Maguire (7)

Mid-season position: 2nd

How we thought they would do

Going into the 2016 League of Ireland Premier Division season, Cork alongside Dundalk were considered favourites for the title.

Having finished 2nd to Dundalk for the past two seasons, Cork’s eyes were firmly fixed on going one better and winning a first league crown since 2005.

We expected them to once again be tussling with Dundalk at the top of the table with possibly one of St Patrick’s Athletic or Shamrock Rovers attempting to force their name into the title mix.

How they really have done

What was expected before the beginning of the season has somewhat come to fruition.

Cork currently sit a point behind Dundalk in second place as the two giants have put an eight-point gap between themselves and the nearest challengers, Shamrock Rovers and Derry City.

The Leesiders endured a bit of a stop-start beginning to the campaign as after a comfortable 2-0 opening win at home to Bohemians, they lost their first and only league game of the season so far to Derry City the following week.

They immediately bounced back with a 6-0 whopping of Longford Town and a marvellous 1-0 win away to champions Dundalk, however, they drew their following three games against Sligo Rovers, Wexford Youths and Galway United.

Since the 2-2 draw with Galway back in mid-April, Caulfield’s side have gone on to win their last eight league games on the trot including another spectacular 1-0 victory over Dundalk at Turners Cross to ensure the gap at the top of the table was closed to a single point heading into the mid-season break.

Moment of the season so far

Stephen Dooley firing a left-footed drive into the bottom corner against Dundalk in front of a packed Turners Cross to give Cork a priceless 1-0 victory and ensure that the gap at the top of the table was closed to one going into the second-half of the season.

Star Player: Sean Maguire

It may seem like an intimidating decision to choose one player out of a number of outstanding performers for Cork so far this season, however, Sean Maguire’s goals is what gives him the nod ahead of the likes of Mark O’Sullivan, Karl Sheppard, Greg Bolger and Kenny Browne amongst many others.

2016 is proving to be Maguire’s breakout season in the LOI Premier Division. The young striker signed from rivals Dundalk during the summer transfer window, having only made six appearances for the Lilywhites during their 2015 title win.

However, since joining Cork last December, Maguire has been firing in all cylinders and currently sits joint-second in the goalscoring charts alongside Derry’s Rory Patterson on seven goals, one behind Galway’s Vinny Faherty.

The Irish under-21 international’s goals are not only high in number but also high in importance as he has proved to be the difference on numerous occasions, including his strike against Dundalk to give Cork a one-nil victory at Oriel Park at the beginning of the season.

Surprise star player: Steven Beattie

Steven Beattie has proven to be dynamite in the Cork midfield this season.

Beattie endured a slow start to the campaign as Caulfield struggled to fit him in to a crowded City midfield meaning he didn’t make his first league start until Cork’s third game against Longford.

There, he hit a hat-trick and has been a mainstay ever since, making 15 league appearances in all and netting four goals including a strike inside the opening minute in Cork’s 2-0 win over Shamrock Rovers at the end of April.

His attacking approach in the midfield means Beattie carries a flare when on the ball and which also allows him to be deployed in a more forward role. This versatility in Beattie’s game on top of his wide-range of passing and sharpness on the ball has meant that he has been a key part of Cork’s squad so far this season and will be pivotal towards Cork’s title hopes as the season progresses.

Young player: Kevin O’Connor

Kevin O’Connor has come on leaps and bounds since his move from Waterford United in April 2015.

He has provided Caulfield with a level of stability down the left side as the 21-year-old can slot in comfortably at left-back when Caulfield’s reverts to a 4-4-2 formation or can also be played further forward on the wing when Cork are set out in a 3-5-2 attacking formation.

He carries a wide-range of both attacking and defensive attributes. He is extremely pacey and his crosses almost always carry pinpoint accuracy while also being a confident defender, not afraid to go in for a crunching tackle and also has the focus to keep up and more-often than not, outplay some of the best wingmen this league has to offer which has led to Man of the Match performances against the likes of Bohemians and Derry City.

Star signing: Sean Maguire/ Kenny Browne

As mentioned above, Sean Maguire has been a revelation since joining Cork from defending champions Dundalk. His confidence in front of goal is remarkable and if he can continue to score at this rate throughout the rest of the campaign, Cork are sure to be competing for the title until the very end.

In their 15 games so far this season, Cork have only conceded a mere six goals. This is largely thanks to the excellent partnership formed between Kenny Browne and Alan Bennett at the heart of the Cork defence.

Since joining from St Pat’s after a successful three year stint with the Saints, Browne has continued to be as solid as a rock at the back, terrorizing opponent’s strikers with his tough tackles and superior strength.

His leadership has also been a welcome boost for Cork this season and is the type of personality needed in building a title push.

His defining moment of the season so far was his last-minute winner against Derry to gain a vital three points after a fantastic late turnaround to continue their winning streak.

What they need to do in the transfer market

John Caufield has said that it is highly unlikely that Cork will strengthen their squad during this summer’s window due to a low budget.

However, a lengthy run in the UEFA Europa League qualifying rounds would lead to an increase in funding which could lead Caufield to making one or two signings which would give his squad a huge boost in their quest for the title going into the latter half of the campaign.

With an established goalkeeper, a sturdy backline, a midfield flourishing with talent and three top class forwards in the form of Maguire, O’Sullivan and Sheppard, the only thing Caulfield requires is quality backup and support.

If Caulfield does decide to take out his cheque book, look for him to sign either an up and comer capable of lifting a game when needed or someone with experience of winning League of Ireland titles to help influence his side’s mentality throughout the rest of the campaign.

Where we see them finishing

The one-nil win over Dundalk before the mid-season break will give Cork huge confidence going into the second half of the season.

Caulfield called that win one of the biggest of his career and it may prove to be just that if Cork can carry this huge momentum and excitement surrounding the club into the league restart.

Having only lost once all season, conceding only six goals and in the midst of an eight game winning streak, Cork are set up perfectly to continue their title surge long into the campaign.

It is still difficult to separate the men from the South and Dundalk at this stage of the season, but if current form is anything to go by, this may just prove to be Cork’s year.