PREVIEW: Cork City

PREVIEW: CORK CITY



Zola's Watford FC squad have flown over to Ireland today ahead of their training camp, and a friendly tomorrow against Cork City FC.


------------------------------------------------

A LITTLE BIT ABOUT OUR HOSTS...

Cork City FC are a relatively new team considering most football club's ages, technically forming in the 80s and then having to start all over again by a fans consortium a couple of years ago, re-entering in the second tier of Irish football in the process. This season they find themselves 8th as won the first division on the last day.

------------------------------------------------

A LITTLE BIT FROM OUR HOSTS...

Hi Éanna, Thanks for taking the time to answer these questions, could you tell us a bit about yourself and what you do at Cork City?
I'm the Club Administrator at Cork City. That involves a wide range of tasks, including season tickets and match ticketing, editing and designing the programme, arranging team and supporter travel for away fixtures, dealing with the media and other varied admin tasks.

You're playing host to Watford FC on Tuesday, how did the friendly come about?
The Fota Island resort developed an excellent training facility in recent years, which is attracting some top clubs who are coming over for training camps. We have a good relationship with the resort, and the fact that we can provide good opposition for clubs who wish to play a friendly fixture at the end of their training camp is a positive for all concerned.

Last season, you topped the First Division, what are the aims for this season?
The first aim has to be consolidation, but Cork has always been a place that demands success! As a club we are keen to be as successful as we possibly can, so we are certainly looking to climb up the table and hopefully look to finish in the top half.

The season over there runs during the year, rather than the Aug-May format we're used to in the UK, how does interrupting your schedule with friendlies impact the domestic season?
The reality is that the revenue generated by friendly fixtures is important to clubs. It is also a good opportunity for the manager to give game time to players who may not be regulars in the first team.

Obviously, you haven't had the best of times recently with your financial mismanagements, but now you're back into the top flight, is that all behind the club now?
The financial issues that happened are very much in the past. The club was taken over by FORAS, the supporters trust, in February 2010, and since then, things have been extremely stable.

Who are your key players for Watford fans to look out for?

• John Dunleavy, who joined the club in pre-season was previously at Wolves. He started the season at right back, but has moved into central midfield and has impressed many.
• Colin Healy. Capped 13 times by the Republic of Ireland, Colin has played for a number of clubs in England and Scotland, and returned in pre-season after a spell at Ipswich. Has played in central midfield for most of his career, but has been playing at right back this season, where his experience has been a big asset to the side.
• Daryl Horgan. Signed on loan from Sligo Rovers last summer, the winger joined permanently in the close-season. A regular goals corer, capable of playing on the left and right wings, Horgan has continued to impress.

Do many people over in Ireland know about Sean Murray? He's our boy wonder, but of Irish roots so features for you at youth level.
I have to confess I wouldn't really know much about him, although having looked him up now, he certainly looks like someone with a bright future!

Finally, predictions for the game?
Very tough one to call! A lot will depend on what kind of sides the two clubs put out. Obviously, we have two friendlies on consecutive nights with another league game on Friday, so the manager will have to take that into account. I would expect the game to be very competitive and for us to acquit ourselves well.

Thanks for talking to me, and all the best for the rest of your season.

------------------------------------------------

The game is a 7.45PM kick off tomorrow evening, there will be a shoutbox open for the game. If there's anyone on here going to the game, could you message me please.