WHEN IAN TURNER returned to Cork City last year, he was confident of playing an important role for John Caulfield’s side in the 2016 season.
Despite being unable to prevent Limerick from dropping down to the First Division in 2015, Turner’s impressive contribution to what was almost a miraculous escape was recognised when he picked up the season’s final SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month award.
Ian Turner playing against Derry City in March 2010, Cork City's first game as a supporters-owned club. Margaret McLaughlin / INPHO
Margaret McLaughlin / INPHO / INPHO
Turner ended his second spell with Cork City by winning an FAI Cup medal, but he did so as an unused substitute in last November’s win over Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium. The former Wilton United player made just 14 appearances for City last season, all of them as a substitute.
Following Limerick’s promotion back to the top flight, the 27-year-old has headed for Shannonside once again in pursuit of regular football. Turner has featured in all five of Limerick’s Premier Division games so far this season, as well as scoring their first goal in the 5-1 victory over Sligo Rovers on the opening weekend.
Tonight he’ll have an opportunity to show his hometown club what they’re missing, although the winger insists that he doesn’t feel the need to make a statement in the first Munster derby of the season, which takes place at Limerick’s Markets Field.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve a point to prove,” Turner told The42. “I was grateful to win an FAI Cup medal last year, even though I didn’t have the season I was hoping for. I thought I was going to get a lot more game-time but it didn’t work out that way. You learn from these things.
“I’ve come to Limerick now to play as much as I can and perform. I think I have to take my previous relationship with Cork City out of it and just concentrate on the game. I don’t really hold any bitterness about it. I enjoyed my time there and that’s it.
“Whichever side you’re on, Munster derbies are always massive games. They mean a lot to both sets of fans. When you’re playing in them you kind of have to put that to one side and concentrate on what’s happening on the pitch. But the build-up is justified and I know both teams will be well up for it.”
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Turner under pressure from Hugh Douglas during Limerick's win against Bray Wanderers last weekend. Tommy Dickson / INPHO
Tommy Dickson / INPHO / INPHO
A timely win last weekend has given Limerick a confidence boost ahead of their meeting with Cork City, who opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table by getting the better of Dundalk on Saturday at Turner’s Cross.
Turner started as Limerick ended a run of three games without a win by defeating Bray Wanderers 1-0 at the Carlisle Grounds. On the back of defeats to Dundalk and Bohemians, as well as a particularly disappointing home draw with Finn Harps, it was a relief for Martin Russell’s side to return to winning ways.
“We kind of let ourselves down in our last two games [against Bohs and Harps] so going away to Bray we needed to respond,” says Turner. “To be able to do that was big for us, especially going into this week’s game. It takes the pressure off a small bit.”
Tonight’s game will mark the first Munster derby between Limerick and Cork City at Markets Field since the Blues returned to the Garryowen venue in 2015. A large crowd is expected at the spiritual home of Limerick soccer.
Turner says: “Once you play there you can see how special the atmosphere is. They’re passionate fans and they love their football. I don’t know, there’s just something about the place that seems to galvanise the city and gets the supporters out. There’s always a good crowd and you can definitely feel it on the pitch.”
Limerick strengthened significantly over the winter, adding the likes of Turner, Rodrigo Tosi, Bastien Hery, Tommy Robson and Chiedozie Ogbene — another former Cork City man — to the squad that won the First Division at a canter last season.
Markets Field plays host to Limerick versus Cork City tonight. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
Those additions convinced some — including Derry City boss Kenny Shiels, who described them as the best team in the country — to tip Martin Russell’s side as outsiders for the title race. Ian Turner knows what it’s like to be part of a squad challenging at the top of the table and he believes that potential is in this Limerick squad.
“I believe so. To be fair, the main difference I’ve found here is that in the last few years there wasn’t a huge amount of competition for a lot of places. But now we’ve probably got a squad of 17 or 18 really good players, where if a player comes out there’s someone of an equally good standard going in. That’s what I learned most from being in a competitive squad in Cork.
“You need to have the numbers in the squad and it’s quite similar here now. We can only afford to take it game by game and it’s still early in the season. We’re still trying to figure out our best 11 and there’s been some changes, but you can see there’s massive potential.
“I think it’s just about getting consistency in our performances. If we can do that I think we’ve definitely got a great chance. We’ve certainly got ambitions of being in the top four, that’s for sure.”
Their faultless start to the campaign ensures that Cork City will carry the tag of favourites into tonight’s game, but Limerick won’t lack belief. When the sides last met — at Turner’s Cross in August 2015 — Turner played for Limerick in a 3-2 away win.
“Cork City are a good team, always strong and physical,” he says. “You’ll never get an easy game from them and they’re obviously high on confidence at the moment. Players like Seanie [Maguire] are absolutely flying.
Turner made 14 substitute appearances for Cork City last season. Donall Farmer / INPHO
Donall Farmer / INPHO / INPHO
“But it’s something we’re looking forward to. It’ll be a tough game but games like this are the reason you want to be playing in the Premier Division. If we start well and play our game I think we have a chance. We’re quietly confident.”
Predictions
Every week, we’re giving readers the chance to take us on in predicting the Premier Division results. After Week 6, here’s the standings:
The42: 18 The Readers:16
Next up is Diarmuid Colfer from Wexford…
The Reader (Diarmuid Colfer)
Dundalk v Drogheda United – Dundalk win
Bohemians v St. Patrick’s Athletic – Draw
Derry City v Bray Wanderers – Derry City win
Galway United v Sligo Rovers – Draw
Limerick v Cork City — Cork City win
Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps – Shamrock Rovers win
The42 (Paul Dollery)
Dundalk v Drogheda United – Dundalk win
Bohemians v St. Patrick’s Athletic – Draw
Derry City v Bray Wanderers – Derry City win
Galway United v Sligo Rovers – Galway United win
Limerick v Cork City – Cork City win
Shamrock Rovers v Finn Harps – Shamrock Rovers win
No bitterness for Corkman Turner as he aims to topple City in Munster derby
WHEN IAN TURNER returned to Cork City last year, he was confident of playing an important role for John Caulfield’s side in the 2016 season.
Despite being unable to prevent Limerick from dropping down to the First Division in 2015, Turner’s impressive contribution to what was almost a miraculous escape was recognised when he picked up the season’s final SSE Airtricity/SWAI Player of the Month award.
Turner ended his second spell with Cork City by winning an FAI Cup medal, but he did so as an unused substitute in last November’s win over Dundalk at the Aviva Stadium. The former Wilton United player made just 14 appearances for City last season, all of them as a substitute.
Following Limerick’s promotion back to the top flight, the 27-year-old has headed for Shannonside once again in pursuit of regular football. Turner has featured in all five of Limerick’s Premier Division games so far this season, as well as scoring their first goal in the 5-1 victory over Sligo Rovers on the opening weekend.
Tonight he’ll have an opportunity to show his hometown club what they’re missing, although the winger insists that he doesn’t feel the need to make a statement in the first Munster derby of the season, which takes place at Limerick’s Markets Field.
“I wouldn’t say I’ve a point to prove,” Turner told The42. “I was grateful to win an FAI Cup medal last year, even though I didn’t have the season I was hoping for. I thought I was going to get a lot more game-time but it didn’t work out that way. You learn from these things.
“I’ve come to Limerick now to play as much as I can and perform. I think I have to take my previous relationship with Cork City out of it and just concentrate on the game. I don’t really hold any bitterness about it. I enjoyed my time there and that’s it.
“Whichever side you’re on, Munster derbies are always massive games. They mean a lot to both sets of fans. When you’re playing in them you kind of have to put that to one side and concentrate on what’s happening on the pitch. But the build-up is justified and I know both teams will be well up for it.”
A timely win last weekend has given Limerick a confidence boost ahead of their meeting with Cork City, who opened up a six-point lead at the top of the table by getting the better of Dundalk on Saturday at Turner’s Cross.
Turner started as Limerick ended a run of three games without a win by defeating Bray Wanderers 1-0 at the Carlisle Grounds. On the back of defeats to Dundalk and Bohemians, as well as a particularly disappointing home draw with Finn Harps, it was a relief for Martin Russell’s side to return to winning ways.
“We kind of let ourselves down in our last two games [against Bohs and Harps] so going away to Bray we needed to respond,” says Turner. “To be able to do that was big for us, especially going into this week’s game. It takes the pressure off a small bit.”
Tonight’s game will mark the first Munster derby between Limerick and Cork City at Markets Field since the Blues returned to the Garryowen venue in 2015. A large crowd is expected at the spiritual home of Limerick soccer.
Turner says: “Once you play there you can see how special the atmosphere is. They’re passionate fans and they love their football. I don’t know, there’s just something about the place that seems to galvanise the city and gets the supporters out. There’s always a good crowd and you can definitely feel it on the pitch.”
Limerick strengthened significantly over the winter, adding the likes of Turner, Rodrigo Tosi, Bastien Hery, Tommy Robson and Chiedozie Ogbene — another former Cork City man — to the squad that won the First Division at a canter last season.
Those additions convinced some — including Derry City boss Kenny Shiels, who described them as the best team in the country — to tip Martin Russell’s side as outsiders for the title race. Ian Turner knows what it’s like to be part of a squad challenging at the top of the table and he believes that potential is in this Limerick squad.
“I believe so. To be fair, the main difference I’ve found here is that in the last few years there wasn’t a huge amount of competition for a lot of places. But now we’ve probably got a squad of 17 or 18 really good players, where if a player comes out there’s someone of an equally good standard going in. That’s what I learned most from being in a competitive squad in Cork.
“You need to have the numbers in the squad and it’s quite similar here now. We can only afford to take it game by game and it’s still early in the season. We’re still trying to figure out our best 11 and there’s been some changes, but you can see there’s massive potential.
“I think it’s just about getting consistency in our performances. If we can do that I think we’ve definitely got a great chance. We’ve certainly got ambitions of being in the top four, that’s for sure.”
Their faultless start to the campaign ensures that Cork City will carry the tag of favourites into tonight’s game, but Limerick won’t lack belief. When the sides last met — at Turner’s Cross in August 2015 — Turner played for Limerick in a 3-2 away win.
“Cork City are a good team, always strong and physical,” he says. “You’ll never get an easy game from them and they’re obviously high on confidence at the moment. Players like Seanie [Maguire] are absolutely flying.
“But it’s something we’re looking forward to. It’ll be a tough game but games like this are the reason you want to be playing in the Premier Division. If we start well and play our game I think we have a chance. We’re quietly confident.”
Predictions
Every week, we’re giving readers the chance to take us on in predicting the Premier Division results. After Week 6, here’s the standings:
The42: 18
The Readers: 16
Next up is Diarmuid Colfer from Wexford…
The Reader (Diarmuid Colfer)
The42 (Paul Dollery)
Limerick back to winning ways as Bray stumble again
Cork City go 6 points clear at the top with another win over Dundalk
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