CCFC Latest Signings

30th Oct 2002

New Cork City Signings

Cork City have had a disappointing season and with the loss of supersonic talisman Ollie Cahill things weren't looking too good. However, a number of impressive signings have been made (with the promise of more to come) so even though it's a bit early there's already some excitement about the upcoming season among City fans. The lads at City fanzine FourFiveOne run the rule over City's latest signings....

	Billy Woods The prodigal son has at long last return to his home by the Lee. Ever since Woods left City for Tranmere Rovers in '93 he has been linked with a return, but despite playing for Portadown and Shamrock Rovers since it has taken nearly a full decade for the move to come about. His signing came as a welcome boost to City fans in the wake of Ollie Cahill's departure for Shelbourne as the Midleton man will automatically slot into the now-vacant left-wing spot. As anyone who has seen him play will testify, Woods is an exciting, attack-minded player who has scored his share of goals, some of them quite spectacular, wherever he has played. The 28-year-old has signed a three-year contract with City and fans are already looking forward to seeing him playing for the 'home' team in Cork once again.
	George O'Callaghan A tall, gangly winger, the youngster from Whitechurch has returned to Cork having failed to agree a new contract with Brian Horton after seven years at the club. Having impressed with the Vale Youth team, earning international recognition along the way, O'Callaghan made his first team debut in the 2-1 victory over Wolves in September 1999. However he failed to command a regular place in the starting eleven, making 38 first team appearances in all, and has returned home to sign a two-year full-time contract with City. Fans on Leeside will be hoping that O'Callaghan will be able to reproduce the sort of form that once earned the 22-year-old comparisons with the legendary George Best
	John Andrews Another local who left for the bright lights of the English leagues at a young age, Andrews had been out of the game for some time before City manager Liam Murphy persuaded the defender to sign for the coming season. A few years ago, Andrews was one of a number of promising Irish youngsters on the books at Coventry City, including Colin Hawkins (now with Bohemians), Barry Ferguson (who has just signed for Longford Town) and Willie Boland (Cardiff City), but failed to make the grade and was let go. He signed for Mansfield Town in time for the 1999/2000 season after a trial with Macclesfield Town came to nothing and looked to be making a name for himself as he notched 29 appearances in that first season. He began the next season in the starting eleven, but soon fell out of favour.

Injuries hampered his chances of regaining his place in the first team and in February 2001 he went on loan to a local non-league side, but only played one game there before returning to Ireland. At 23 years of age the native of Mahon is back home has signed a two-year part-time deal with City and is currently preparing for his Leaving Cert. If he turns out to be the sort of ball-playing centre-back that he once showed signs of becoming then he should find himself in the City starting eleven on a regular basis.

Alan Reynolds
Waterford native Reynolds is a player that City have constantly been linked to in the past couple of seasons. It came as somewhat of a surprise then, when the midfielder moved to Longford Town at the beginning of last season along with another City target Alan Kirby. The 28-year-old has been signed on a two-year deal to add competition to City's midfield and, if his disciplinary record from last season is anything to go by, will no doubt add some bite as well.