Ruairi Keating is back at Turner’s Cross on a multi-year deal 

Fan-favourite striker Ruairí Keating is back at Cork City on a multi-year contract, after a brief stint with St Patrick’s Athletic.

This is the club’s second acquisition of the summer transfer windows and it follows a deal to keep Sean Murray at Turner’s Cross.

Keating left Leeside last November at the end of a season that St Pat’s won the FAI Cup and City were relegated but his move to Dublin hasn’t worked out.

Despite scoring in the win over Shamrock Rovers, his last appearance was on July 4 against Waterford, a defeat he was substituted in.

Stephen Kenny was appointed to the Saints hotseat and left the striker on the bench for last week’s 3-1 Uefa Conference League win over FC Vaduz, a first leg advantage they take to Liechtenstein on Thursday. 

He has agreed to terminate Keating’s contract by mutual consent.

City are cruising to the First Division title, 15 points ahead with 11 games left. 

Only last week., Rebels boss Tim Clancy bemoaned the inflated wage market for top-flight players but Keating has an emotional attachment to City from his two successful years at Turner’s Cross.

As he didn’t feature in St Pat’s’ FAI Cup loss to Derry City last week, he’ll be eligible to face the Candystripes in the third round when City play hosts on August 23.

Keating’s first spell in Cork lasted two seasons and he played a key role in the club winning the 2022 League of Ireland First Division title and promotion.

The striker followed that up by scoring 13 league goals last season, a haul that includes a hat-trick against Sligo Rovers at Turner’s Cross.

Speaking to the club’s media team, Keating said: “I genuinely can’t explain how happy I am to be back at City. 

"I absolutely loved my time at the club before, and I am absolutely thrilled to be coming back. 

"I just can’t wait to pull on a City jersey and play at Turner’s Cross again in front of the amazing City fans. 

"This club is very special to me and I am just so, so happy to be back home. I just want to get back to playing football again. 

"I am looking forward to getting into training tomorrow; we have some big games coming up and I cannot wait to get started.” 

Tim Clancy, Cork City manager, hailed the return of Keating.

“It’s brilliant to get Keats signed back with the club. The fans have been brilliant all season, and I know that Keats is a player that they have a very special relationship with, so I am sure this signing will give them a lift as well.

”He obviously had a really successful spell at the club before, and everyone at City knows what he brings to the team. 

"He’s a quality player, a really good character and has plenty of experience as well. As we move into the closing stages of this season, with so much still to play for, all of those qualities that he brings will add to the quality we already have within the group. 

"We have said all along that we don’t just want to bring the right kind of players into the club, but also the right type of people, who will help us to build the club back up, and Keats is exactly that.” 

Keating spent the last seven months with St Patrick’s Athletic and he struggled to establish himself in a stacked squad looking to build on their FAI Cup win in 2023.

The striker did find the back of the net against a host of top teams, including Shamrock Rovers and Derry City, but he never emerged as a central figure at Richmond Park under Jon Daly and Stephen Kenny.