9 November 2019
By Bryan Smyth
bryan@TheCork.ie
Cork City FC are delighted to announce that David Harrington and Cian Murphy have re-signed with the club ahead of the 2020 season.
Harrington follows in his father’s footsteps by signing on a professional basis with the club, and becomes the latest in a long line of academy products to graduate to the first team.
Speaking to CCFC.ie after putting pen to paper, Harrington said: I’m buzzing to be honest. I worked hard all year and I have huge thanks for Colin Healy, Richie Holland and Colm Bermingham, my goalkeeper coach with the 19s. They told me to put my head down, work hard and the rewards will come and to be fair, I’ve been rewarded with this contract.
I owe huge credit to Eddie Hickey, Nults, Tadgh and even my Dad and Peter Cherrie last year. They’re people I’ve been looking up to and have been giving me guidance throughout”
Speaking after giving Harrington his first professional contract, City boss Neale Fenn said: “Dave’s a great young keeper. He’s impressed us in training and had a great year with the Under 19 side so we’re delighted to get him signed up for next season. With McNulty and Ryan featuring prominently this season, Dave’s had his work cut out to make his mark, but we hope that he continues to impress and can have an impact next season.”
Cian Murphy, who signed his first professional contract in July of last year, missed the majority of the 2019 season after picking up a long-term injury while in action for the Under 19s. The striker has today committed his future to the Rebel Army and looks forward to getting back out on the Turner’s Cross pitch. “It’s great to sign back, I’m happy to get it done and now I’m looking forward to next year. I got a bad injury last season and missed missed most of the season so I’m just getting back from that now and coming back stronger, and I’m hoping to make my way into the team then.
I want to play as much as I can and score some goals. We’re looking to finish as high in the table as possible and get back to where we were over the last few seasons.”
City boss Neale Fenn welcomed the news that Murphy will be staying put, and hopes the young striker will make an impact in 2020: “Cian’s a young player who’s highly thought of at the club. He suffered a bad injury early on in the year, so he’s missed a big chunk of the season but it’s great for us that he’s signed for another year. He can focus now on his rehab and getting fit. He was very close to joining in training towards the end of last season.
He’s a bright young lad who wants to work hard and improve so I’m sure he’ll come back for pre-season fitter and stronger. Like everyone else, he’ll be fighting for his place in the first team and trying to show myself and Joe that he deserves to be playing every week.”
The club also wishes to confirm that Mark O’Sullivan and Pierce Phillips have left the club, along with Kevin O’Connor who has returned to Preston North End after his loan spell at the club came to an end. We wish them the best going forward.