Dermot Usher: 'I have a love for League of Ireland and a love for Cork City...'
Ruairí Keating, right, and Cathal O'Sullivan of Cork City celebrate at Turner's Cross. Picture: Sam Barnes/Sportsfile
It’s been an eventful two seasons for Dermot Usher as owner of Cork City.
The club was relegated in his maiden campaign before immediately securing promotion this year by winning the First Division title. They have experienced hard times in the past financially and it was only normal that leading into this season, some might have been worried about the future had promotion not been achieved.
However, Usher always knew that no matter what happened, the Rebel Army was secure. He's now aiming to progress the club in the coming years.
"Obviously it wouldn’t have helped had we not gained promotion. Getting relegated in the first place was obviously not what we wanted. It was one step backwards from where we wanted to be so it has probably knocked us back a year maybe on where we wanted to be with our plan.
“In terms of next year, first of all the hope and the expectation will be to stay up and not get dragged into a relegation battle. If we can do that first and foremost, I would be delighted with that, and if we can overachieve on that; perfect."
He believes recruitment has been his biggest learning curve.
“Recruitment is key. That goes through for the whole club from recruiting players to hiring staff. If I think back to last year there were signings that didn’t come off but that wasn’t from a lack of investment. I’m someone who likes to be involved and I am involved in a lot of aspects in the club.
"My management style would be that when I am taking someone on, I’m taking them on to do the job that needs to be done.
“We have a weekly recruitment meeting in the club with a committee. That committee is made up of people within the club and a football person as well. Updates are required to come back to us just to let us know where we are at in terms of recruitment and decisions are made. Recommendations are obviously made from Tim Clancy but he gets signed off from the recruitment committee then on what we are going to do."
The Cork City Academy has turned into a production line of gifted young players like Cathal O'Sullivan and David Dunne, which of course puts them in the spotlight to move aboard.
"There is a commercial reality. It is a business and part of the business is selling players. If the right offer came in... we just have to wait and see what happens.”
Usher has always been an admirer of the League and his love for City has grown during his time with the club.
“Anybody that knows me knows that I am emotionally invested. I wouldn’t be doing this unless I was. I have a love for League of Ireland football and a love for Cork City. I go to every match whether it be men’s, women’s or academy games. I’m getting three games a weekend in, whether it be in Cork or Dublin.
"If Cork City aren’t playing somewhere, I’m at a game somewhere else. That’s what I love to do so I am emotionally involved but I am able to have my breakfast the next morning.
"Evening through the hard times last year I was on a learning curve and it was a quick learning curve. I described it on the club’s podcast as ‘the rabbit in the headlights’. It was overwhelming at times and I’ve learnt a lot about myself and about other people as well. In particular, I’ve learnt a lot about social media. I’m still learning now."
They took a major step recently by opting to produce their own gear.
"For example, we have launched the Rebel Army clothing brand. We have launched our home and away jerseys for next season, and I already know there is going to be learning from that.
"Did we get that right? Will we need to tweak that next year? Normal business at any football club is looking at what we are doing.
"Do more of the stuff we are doing well. Stop doing the things that aren’t working. Try to adapt and change.
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