LESS THAN 48 HOURS since their FAI Cup final defeat to Dundalk, Cork City’s preparations for next season are up and running.
The Leesiders have announced the signing of 21-year-old Bohemians central defender Dan Casey on a two-year contract.
The former St Joseph’s Boys player says he’s excited about the prospect of European football, with City set to feature in the Europa League qualifying rounds next summer after finishing second to Dundalk in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
“I am delighted,” Casey said. “This is a huge club and a good move for me. I hope this will be a great period in my career. Cork City have always been a tough team to play against, and I have enjoyed those battles, so I’m excited to be playing for Cork City.
“European football is a huge bonus and something I’m dying to experience. As a kid, playing in Europe is something you want to do, and I’m looking forward to being part of it.
“There are very good defenders here. They have shown that over the last couple of years, so it will be a tough challenge for me but one I am looking forward to.”
After starting in 31 of Bohemians’ 36 league games in 2018, Casey became a free agent when the season ended last month. He also helped the club to reach the FAI Cup semi-finals but a yellow card suspension ruled him out of the replay defeat to Cork.
Following a four-year spell on the books at Sunderland, Casey joined Bohs in July 2017. He’ll be fondly remembered by Gypsies supporters for scoring twice in the 3-1 victory over Shamrock Rovers on the opening day of this season.
“Dan has had a major impact with Bohemians this season,” said Cork City manager John Caulfield. “He is a young player who has come back from England and made his mark in the league in the last year and a half.
“We are thrilled to bring him in. He’s good on the ball, very strong in the air, aggressive and has huge potential. He has tremendous hunger to go to the highest level, and is a player we think will fit brilliantly into our set-up.
“We can see how well he did this year in a very good Bohs side. We need ambitious, hungry players and he fits that bill.”
Casey’s departure is another blow to a Bohs side who lost midfielder JJ Lunney to Waterford last week. Defender Dan Byrne confirmed today that he’ll also be leaving the club, while versatile veteran Ian Morris has taken the manager’s job at Shelbourne.
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Brilliant bit of business from JC
@SéamusMouse: How is it a brilliant piece of business. His budget has been slashed and he has loads of centre halves. This will be another Aaron Barry sitting on the bench. The money should have been saved for players that were needed: a proper striker, and retaining McNamee & Sadlier. Getting rid of Caulfield would be a good start as player don’t want to play for a manager playing that direct crap.
@John Buckley: have to agree, love JC but the squad is so unbalanced its unreal. I dont think budget needs to be slashed as much this year but squad needs more players in opposition half!
In fairness this is s great bit of business from City, it sets a good tone of intent for next season, yes there will be 4 or 5 leaving but if this is the quality of the replacements than we have no worries….
Both Dundalk and City have raised the bar for all the other clubs to match and with the Cup final last Sunday being a pretty decent spectacle it all bodes well for the league.
Also congrats to Dundalk on the double winning season and the brand of football ye played thru the season. Hopefully City will bring more fluency to their play next season and push ye allthe way again.
Off now to renew Foras membership and City season ticket, roll on The Greatest League in the World….
Great signing. If they can keep McLaughlin, and with Casey beside him it’ll be a formidable partnership. It’s also mad to think that Delaney now can’t even get into the side!
@Gerard Mulreaney: and what about Bennett, barry. Delaney and mccarthy that s 6 cb! Ffs
@Gerard McCarthy: Bennett’s done, Delaney hasn’t cut it so far, they could realistically lose McLaughlin either now or in the summer! Not sure Caulfield’s sold on Barry yet, but he may just have needed time to settle. Casey’s a superb addition, but no doubt they need others in other positions
On the ball quickly. A good sign for next season
I hope he will have a more enjoyable time here than Aaron Barry, Barry McNamee, Tobi Adebayo Rowling, Achille Campion, Danny Kane, Josh O’Hanlon, etc. had.
@Denis McCarthy: O Hanlon especially, looked a player, could really have kicked on next season, but if he was’nt being played he was hardly gonna hang around, great signing for someone else though, can see him coming back next year to haunt us.. Danny Kane was a top notch player as well but was’nt played, you’d wonder why?
Unsure about this lad, looked raw enough last season, definitely not proven yet!!