Cork City are set to capture Matt Healy on loan from Ipswich Town

CORK CITY are set to capture the signing of Matt Healy on loan from Ipswich Town. 

Although City have made numerous signings this summer including retaining Aaron Bolger and Barry Coffey, Colin Healy’s side were in search for a replacement for former captain Gearoid Morrissey after the midfielder decided to retire from professional football.

Healy, originally from Riverstick, came to the the League One club’s attention at the Kennedy Cup, where he participated with the Cork team.

Healy spent several weeks on trial at Portman road before being offered a two-year footballing scholarship in 2018 to the then College Corinthians’ player.

The former Republic of Ireland U17 international extended his scholarship by a further year before signing his first professional contract with the club last summer. 

Healy deals expires this summer but the club do hold the option to extend that deal by a further 12 months..

Healy played a part on Town Under 18s’ run to the last four of last season’s FA Youth Cup, where they lost to Liverpool and the club will be hoping that by sending the player out on loan he can continue to progress and develop as a player by gaining experience in first-team football.

Healy has admitted in the past his ambitions of playing for Ipswich’s first team and representing Ireland at a higher level, having played for his country at U15,U16 and U17, and will be hoping that a move to City can help him achieve his ambitions. 

The midfielder has represented the club’s U18 and U23 side as well as being part of the first-team training squad on several occasions.

With City’s first game of the season against Bray Wanderers just under three weeks away, Healy’s addition might not be the last new face to be added to the squad with manager Colin Healy still keen to at least bring one more player to the club.

The City manager knows how important it is that the club improve on last season’s sixth place finish and are among the favourites for promotion this campaign. 

However, with teams like Galway United, Longford Town and Waterford United all having the same ambitions, like City, of gaining promotion, promotion will be a tough ask for City which is why they are keen to continue to strengthen their squad.

City pre-season campaign continued on Saturday as they drew 1-1 with Premier Division side Finn Harps in Abbobstown with Cian Murphy on the scoresheet.

The Rebel Army are back on the road again next Saturday when Healy’s side face FAI Cup holders St. Patrick’s Athletic at Richmond Park before finishing their pre-season campaign when they host last season’s First Division champions Shelbourne at Turner's Cross on 11 February.