CCFC '03 Season Review

11th Dec 2003

CCFC '03 Season Review
Gareth Williams

I could go into a big long rant here about the season, giving you every little small detail of the season which has just gone past, but, lets be fair, you wont read it and I don't want to write it. So here are a few of the highs and lows of it all...

Some were assumming, rather foolishly, that now Pat Dolan was City manager, the league would be a mere formality, that we would romp home in record time, with record points. It was very evident from day one of the season that there was a lot of work to be done. Yes, we still had the stars from last season, but we also had lost our midfield, with Reynolds running to Shams. No one could have predicted that his loss would be felt so great all season long. Midfield is where we were really left wanting all season. Greg couldn't repeat his form of last season, and Dolan tried using a young and very inexperienced Kevin Murray as our midfield anchor.

Feen: Pat Dolan

With all that being said, we finished 3rd, 5 points higher than Longford in 4th, but 11 behind Bohs in 2nd. That's where things become unnacceptable. Now, don't get me wrong, our finish this season is highly respectable, all the more respectable when you consider Dolan had but 5 weeks to prepare both himself and the squad for a long summer season. This season, Dolan, along with coach Dave Mahedy implemented a fitness regime which has been described as "pure physical punishment". The fact that under previous manager(s), these same players were out drinking and off to the chinky after matches, makes our finish seem all the more of an achievement. Not only did these players have to adapt to a new manager, but a new lifestyle.

George O'Callaghan Player of The Season

The close season is here, most City fans will tell you that next season is the one to look out for, but that the signature of a few new players in all departments is of vital importance, namely in the middle of the field, where already mentioned, we were way short this season. We also need a new full back to add competeition, and the reported signing of former Irish international and Spurs player, Neal Fenn will add greatly to our fire power next season.

Not only do we need to bring in players, but there needs to be a big time cut. Deccie Daly has already hung up his boots. Players like Dave Warren and John Andrews have hardly done much on loan at Ramblers to warrant a recall and contract extensions. Conor O Gradys form, albeit riddled with injury, hardly deserves a full time deal. Players like Alan Carey, Mick Mulconroy, Noel Mooney, Colin P O Brien, while all handy players, are not of the standard required to bring top honours back to Cork City.

Over the close season, I would like (dissapointed to ssee them go, but we need progress) the above and a few more to be released, along with Dave Morrison of Bohs and Mark Clifford (from Tory Top Rd!) of Waaherfurh to be brought in. Also, there is a Latvian playing with Bristol Rovers who Id like to see the club approach. Vitas Astifajevs is his name. If he signs, u saw it here first.

Til March folks. Heres hoping the close season is an exciting one and is productive to the Rebels Armys march to glory in 2004!

GW

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