Cork City appoint Morrissey as new captain with 2020 season on the horizon

CORK City manager Neale Fenn has confirmed Gearóid Morrissey as the Rebel Army captain for the coming campaign while he is confident that the three new signings announced yesterday will impress for the club.

City yesterday announced the loan arrival of Republic of Ireland youth international central defender Joe Redmond from Birmingham City as well as the signings of midfielder Henry Ochieng and attacker Reyon Dillon.

“We’re lighter in defence,” Fenn said, “Conor McCarthy leaving was a blow, we didn’t want it to happen but it did.

“We’ve replaced him with a good prospect, Joe Redmond, an Irish kid who I would have known for a good few years before he went over. When the possibility came up, he came in to train with us and he liked it here.

“Birmingham are happy that he’s coming here and going to be training and playing full-time so it ticks all the boxes for what we want.

“Henry would have been someone I’d have had at Leyton Orient. I tried to get him last year but it didn’t happen. Reyon is a striker that I’ve seen playing in non-league football when I was in England, against one of the Orient younger teams.

“He’s a little bit of a project but we’re happy that he’s in.” The trio following Kyron Stabana, who joined on loan from AFC Wimbledon earlier in the week, and Fenn isn’t finished his business yet.

“We’re hoping for two more loan signings to come over the weekend,” he said.

“Because the loan window doesn’t close until February 22, there’s no great rush to get those done.

“The clubs are busy with the permanent transfer deadline so they’ve asked us to wait a couple of days. We’re happy to do that but those boys will come in next week, hopefully.” 

City begin their SSE Airtricity League Premier Division campaign against Shelbourne at Turner’s Cross on February 14 and they will be led out by new skipper Morrissey.

“It feels natural to give it to him, really,” Fenn said.

“I’m not a big for it, I think everyone should be leaders and lead the group but Gearóid will be the main man.”