CORK CITY MAY lose some key players from the side that brought the club its first Premier Division title in 12 years, but one of their top performers from this season has committed his future to the club.

The Leesiders, who were crowned champions courtesy of last week’s draw with Derry City, announced this evening that Gearoid Morrissey has signed a new two-year deal which will keep him at Turner’s Cross until the end of 2019.

Currently in his second spell with the club, the former Blackburn Rovers and Cambridge United midfielder chipped in with six league goals and produced consistently excellent displays as City wrapped up the title with two games to spare.

“[Next year] will be my first time experiencing the Champions League and I am relishing the thought of it, as are the rest of the players and the fans,” Morrissey told Cork City FC’s official website. “There is a buzz around the city at the moment and I think next year will be a special year as well.”

He added: “I think it is the place to be at the moment. We have worked hard to get to where we are and I am enjoying my time with John Caulfield, John Cotter, Liam Kearney and the group that is here. I have signed back to have another go again next year and the year after.”

A 25-year-old Corkonian, Morrissey joined Blackburn at the age of 16 and spent two years with the English club before signing for Cork City in 2010. He moved to Cambridge in 2014 but returned home after a year with the League Two side.

Cork City manager John Caulfield said: “We are delighted. Gearoid has been a massive player for us, winning a cup medal last year and a league medal this year. He is a local lad and is coming into the peak of his career now, so I feel that in the next three or four years he will be the standout player in the league.

“Everyone knows his ability, he can drive the team on from midfield. He’s a phenomenal footballer, he’s brilliant on the ball and he has scored four or five goals from outside the box this year. He’s an all-action player and he is passionate about playing for this club and this city.”

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