Colin Healy is back at the Cross in coaching role

CORK CITY legend Colin Healy has rejoined the club in a coaching role.

The 37-year-old former Ireland international retired from playing ahead of this season, but will now link up with City again to work with the underage coaching set-up.

Healy gained vast experience as a tough-tackling midfielder with his home-town club and in England and Scotland.

The Ballincollig native was renowned as one of the most committed and hardest trainers during two spells at the Cross, and his nous and pedigree can provide inspiration for the next generation.

“I am very pleased to be involved and looking forward to it," he said. "I have spoken to John (Caulfield) and the other coaching staff and I hope that I can help with what the club is looking to achieve. We all want to work with our young players to give them the best possible opportunity to play at the highest level.”

City boss Caulfield said they had been looking to get Healy back on board since he opted out following an FAI Cup final victory over Dundalk last November.

"I have been speaking to him over the last number of months about getting involved, and I am delighted that he is now on board. 

“Having people of Colin’s calibre can only help us in that regard. We want to bring our underage players to a higher level and set the right standards for them, to show them what is needed to get to the top. We want our underage set-up to be the best in country and we feel we have improved over the last couple of years, and Colin’s addition is a further sign of that progression.”

City are in league action tomorrow night when Galway United come to the Cross, 7.45pm, where another Ballincollig man, Mark McNulty, will play his 140th consecutive league game.