retired_puly1364

10th of May

We will meet Bohemians in the semi-finals of All-Ireland cup. That's gonna be interesting. They seem to have an very bad form, haven't won since we beat them. That 3:2 must have been heartbreaking.

13th of May

So it was time to meet Drogheda Utd, who I always seem to read as "Dog.." and somehow think their name has something to do with drug's. Anyway, they were flying high in the league, just in front of us and had 3 wins in a row. Though, in our current form, I thought they should not become an problem to us. Let's send dog's home with their tails between their legs!

Irish Premier Division, Week 9
Cork City 3:2 Drogheda Utd (11. George O'Gallaghan, 42. Roy O'Donovan, 72. Dennis Behan)

A great win before we were going away for few cup games. We came back from 1:2 down and I thought now let's see how the table looks. We were 4th with only few points seperating from leaders. So we're basically back in contest! C'mon Cork!

17th of May

OFFICAL STATEMENT:

Cork City activates a online club shop & also makes the stadium shop full of new Cork stuff. Fans can now buy Cork City scarfs and flags. Colours of the flags and scarfs are green and they could be ordered through online-shop from 18th of May. They will get into the stadium shop for 20th of May.

Cork City club has also made clear that they want to use coreographics in their bigger games and they are ready financially help by costing 50% of the costs of the coreographs.

Cork City website.

19th of May

We now would see some offical scarfs & flags with the team when we travelled to Dublin to face Bohemians. Though, there were some scarfs and very few flags before, but there were very few. So it was chance to progress into the finals of All-Ireland Cup, where we probably will meet Shelbourne.

All-Ireland Cup, Semi-Final
Bohemians 2:3 Cork City (3., 64. John O'Flynn, 70. George O'Gallaghan)

I didn't wait for that. The 3:2 win is completely wrong! It should have been 10:1! We had an amazing game. O'Flynn should have scored 5 goals, but I will leave that there. He's really on fire in the All-Ireland Cup! 8 goals! The final will be ofcourse againis Shelbourne, but played on neutral stadium. Though how neutral I could ask, it's in Dublin, on the same stadium I won today. But maybe history repeats it self.

24th of May

A pointless cup called Munster Senior Cup started. We first have to met an club Leeds Utd. I went to the match with half of my first team resting. Most notably the big two strikers, O'Gallaghan and O'Flynn. That's because I had an big cup final on Saturday.

Irish Munster Senior Cup, Quarterfinal
Leeds Utd 0:2 Cork City (95. George O'Gallaghan, 106. John O'Flynn)

Still I had to bring in George O'Gallaghan and John O'Flynn to win the game. Though they didn't get tired very much since they only played 30 minutes. Daniel Murray got red card and Roy O'Donovan managed to get on my nerves by missing an penalty.

retired_puly1364

Thanks for your comments guys.

retired_puly1364

25th of May

After Leeds game, we quickly went home. We had to organize a lot of stuff for our Shelbourne trip.

On 25th we were talking about the buses. That event was really big for us and we organized 20 buses to come with us for the game. And that's around 1300 people. It was a lot to arrange. The money spent was a big, since we also had to transport the coreography to the game. It was pretty simple. There were large pieces of paper and all together they formed an picture - which has an Irish Premier Division Cup (with Cork City logo on it) and text: 2. SHELBOURNE under the cup. The fanbase was developing for Cork lately and fans even started an offical fanclub few weeks ago. It was part of the clubs long term mission - conquer the Irish football. I'm glad to contribute to it! Everything was fine, the buses were set to be at Cork City center for 5 PM, so the fans would get into Dublin a day before match. It was one of the biggest matches in Cork City history and there was more than 300k on stake for club!

We left at the night, at 6 PM, there were around 200 fans to send us away. Everybody at Cork was confident that we will finally humiliate Shelbourne.

26th of May

We reached Dublin at night, but basically I told the players after getting into hotel, go right to sleep. The coreographies were in our bus too.

Our first training was at 11 AM. Everybody showed up ofcourse and no-one did look tired, so it seems like they followed my orders to get right to sleep. We started off with an little ball practice. We practiced shooting and passing. Also we practiced the standard kicks, in case when we happen to have an bad match. Everybody did well. John O'Flynn was praticulary a man to pick out. He did fantastic in training. He really wanted to prove everybody how good he is again.

Then next training, at 3 PM, we were practicing more tactical stuff. Like attacking and defensive combinations. Again everybody seemed to be great, they listened to me like 7 year old kids, who will get ice-cream when they behave nice.

Night training, few hours before the dinner, we did some mixed things. We practiced shooting again, then we made some teams and played 15 minute games on a small pitch. John O'Flynn managed to score 2 goals in 2 games he played. After training, I set the starting line-up. One man I could not include from the start was George O'Gallaghan, he suffered an injury during a match againist Leeds Utd.

Phil Harrigton
George O'Halloran - Alan Bennett - Derek Coughlan - Danny Murphy
Thomas Morgan
Billy Woods - Liam Kearney
Denis Behan - Roy O'Donovan
John O'Flynn

They were the players starting tomorrow. Though, George O'Gallaghan was there on bench for bad situations.

Later at night, we had an great dinner, which wasn't anything that would make us full till tomorrows game ofcourse. After that, few players and me went to visit the fans and gave over the coreography they made. We chatted a bit too, at a local restaurant. I didn't allow players to drink alcoholic drinks ofcourse.

27th of May

It was big match countdown. It wasn't just hype in our club. The media was full of it and Shelbourne too. It was labeled as a "Battle for Ireland". That day, the world will get to know who is the best club in Ireland! Suddenly everyone started talking about the little club named Cork who hasn't won an title since 1993 when unknown Estonian manager took over. Since then the club started to rise, including with numerous new stars with them. One of those stars was man, once a great prospect, John O'Flynn, who was set to be the star of the show again tonight.

All the teams were lined up basically on their best. Though, Shelbourne missed their two great strikers Mark van Eijk and Graham Crowe (I may mis-wrote the names). But Shelbourne still wasn't the only one who suffered because of injuries. Cork's first choice goalkeeper Michael Devine was also forced to be on sidelines together with Colin Thomas O'Brien and Gary Curran. Also injuried George O'Gallaghan is forced to start on bench.

Once the players came on pitch, our coreography started to appear, one by one, the pieces started to move up till they found their place and after few minutes, the picture was done. It was hold up for the first five minutes of the game.

All-Ireland Cup, Final:

The game started. The game was broduced live for Ireland. Here are some of the most important pieces of the live commentary:

Pre-game

Dan: "Welcome to Dublin, where we are to bring you the All-Ireland cup final, which is labeled as an battle for Ireland. Tonight will see facing two of the best teams Ireland at the moment has. Ofcourse they are Shelbourne and Cork City."

Jack: "Yes, it is certainly is one of the biggest games in recent times. Cork, though, hasn't one a single game againist Shelbourne under the guide of Estonian manager Tanel Tursk."

Dan: "That's true, but from what I saw visiting Cork's training yesterday, they are probably good enough to beat Shelbourne. Do you think that they will finally do that today, when it most matters?"

Jack: "Yes, they are ready, I think. I doubt this game gonna end with Shelbourne grabbing another 2:0 victory againist them."

Dan: "And now we can offer you a picture."

5 minutes later

Dan: "Welcome back from little shopping break, the teams are ready to get on pitch it seems."

Jack: "Oh, and look!"

Dan: "Yes, I can see! Cork City fans have made an coreography!"

Jack: "There were some talk about possible coreography though, but very few people expected it so soon."

Dan: "Cork certainly is thinking about the fans and the team alot. They have don a lot in last years. Rebuilt the inside of the training ground, renting buses to get fans to away games, starting an online shop, selling scarfs and flags and this is another thing to add to this list."

Jack: "And look what it says! A title with Cork City logo on it and under there is a line with text: "Second place, Shelbourne." This will certainly hot up the atmosphere in the game."

Dan: "And no wonder when it starts and real rivalary between the fans like it is in the big football leagues."

1st minute

Dan: "And the big game has started. The coreography is still up!"

31st minute (That's not real time, I forgot when they scored)

Jack: "There we go, what a great cross by Shelbourne's number 21. I think I've forgot the number... AND OH!!!"

Dan: "It's In! Shelbourne have taken the lead!"

Jack: "This certainly is a hit for Cork who finally were playing better than Shelbourne."

Dan: "That sure is."

45th Minute

Dan: "Great play by Cork City."

Jack: "Now it is veteran Billy Woods with the ball."

Dan: "Crosses in.."

Jack: "1:1! John O'Flynn with his head."

Dan: "Who else? He did it again. "

Jack: "It was surely heading for 1:0 in half-time, but that's why you must have John O'Flynn in your squad."

Dan: "Cork deserves this goal since they've been suprisingly much better than Shelbourne tonight."

Jack: "Maybe the coreography made Shelbourne players feel uncomfortable, haha."

Dan: "And here goes the half-time whistle. We head for the break and you can watch all the goals which Shelbourne and Cork scored in their way to final at half-time. Or you could also make yourself a sandwich."

HALF TIME - 1:1, CORK CITY GOAL FROM JOHN O'FLYNN

45th Minute

Dan: "We're back again and second half is about to kick off. The scoreline is 1:1."

59th Minute

Jack: "Oh, Cork City totally fooled Shelbourne's defence. They are having 4 vs 3 situation."

Dan: "Great move by Cork!"

Jack: "This is a situation... .... What a mess in front of - goal! 2:1!"

Dan: "Yeah, Cork City has taken the lead. I think it is Liam Kearney who scored."

Jack: "It seems so."

Dan: "Finally Cork took the lead after pressing all the match. Shelbourne now looks in big problems."

87th Minute

Dan: "Corner kick for Shelbourne."

Jack: "That's probably the best chance they have to bring back the game."

Dan: "And it's swinged in."

Jack: "It's in. What a dramatic match it is!"

Dan: "2:2. If you have made some more plans tonight, you have to cancel them, because it seems like we're having an extra-time here."

Jack: "That is amazingly dramatic final. The luck just isn't on Cork's side. They've dominated the match, they one hit the woodwork, but still they have to go for extra-time."

90 MINUTES - 2:2, OUR GOALS FROM JOHN O'FLYNN AND LIAM KEARNEY. I BRINGED ON NEALE FENN FOR O'FLYNN AND GEORGE O'GALLAGHAN FOR DENIS BEHAN.

THE EXTRA-TIME WAS UNEVENTFUL, IT WILL BE PENALTIES THAT WILL DECIDE THE PLANS.

I'm walking down the pitch side and thinking about the penalty takers. Finally, I give the referee a list of: George O'Gallaghan, Neale Fenn, Danny Murphy, Roy O'Donovan and Alan Bennett.

retired_puly1364

PENALTY SHOOT-OUT (No commentary, my own feelings)

The players were on the center circle. George O'Gallaghan was the first to start to go there. Every step he made, my heart started pumpin, finally I couldn't stand there just watching, I shouted: "GEORGE, LET'S BEAT THOSE BASTARDS!" That probably ruined every possible chance for me to get into Shelbourne.

George stepped up, the run looked fine for me, and so did the shot, I jumped! That's in.

CORK CITY | O | 1
_________________________________________

SHELBOURNE

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So it was Shelbourne's turn and walking towards the penalty spot was Martin Lauchlan. Phil Harrigton, 41 year old goal keeper (!), was there as a goalkeeper. I already saw that Shelbourne's gonna score, they did, Lauchlan made it 1:1! "Phil, don't worry about it," I told to our GK.

CORK CITY | O | 1
_________________________________________

SHELBOURNE | O | 1

---------

It was Neale Fenn's turn to us, he seemed confident before going up there. He's not been an very important figure for us this season, but he has been a handful player couple of times. Once he started to ran, it seemed goal to me and it was.

CORK CITY | O || O || 1
_________________________________________

SHELBOURNE | O | 1

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Alan Reynolds stepped up for Shelbourne. I was hoping that he would miss, but unfortunately, it didn't go like that.

CORK CITY | O || O || 2
__________________________

SHELBOURNE | O || O || 2

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Left-back Danny Murphy was next to step up. He had another chance to show how important he is for us. He's been one of the best players of the year, with our "suprise" buy Thomas Morgan, who has been very good, despite his funny joinging. Danny Murphy didn't miss from the spot, I didn't want to be first to miss, so I could breath easier again.

CORK CITY | O || O || O || 3
_____________________________

SHELBOURNE | O || O || 2

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Ivan Iglesias, don't know is he spanish or something, sounds like one, was stepping up. Looking at his name, I thought he would miss, but that was not an option. 3:3

CORK CITY | O || O || O || 3
_____________________________

SHELBOURNE | O || O || O || 3

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Roy O'Donovan, our last seasons end and this season find. He is doing fine, though had one bad period. I didn't really saw it scoring it, but he proved me wrong. That's amazing penalty shoot-out!

CORK CITY | O || O || O || O || 4
_________________________________

SHELBOURNE | O || O || O || 3

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It was down to the last round, as Shelbourne's Alan Cauley managed to score too.

CORK CITY | O || O || O || O || 4
_________________________________

SHELBOURNE | O || O || O || O || 4

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Alan Bennett was next with the ball. "You better score," I sarcasticaly shouted to him. It was all up to him. Bennett stepped up, started his run - scores! What a penalty shootout!

CORK CITY | O || O || O || O || O | 5
__________________________________

SHELBOURNE | O || O || O || O || 4

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The last penalty. Shelbourne's most famous player - Martin Lagendijk was up there. The dutchman started to run, he hits - PHIL HARRIGTON SAVES. THE BEST TEAM IN IRELAND. Deserved win. Cork City!

CORK CITY | O || O || O || O || O | 5
__________________________________

SHELBOURNE | O || O || O || O || X | 4

Cork City is Ireland champion. We got 300k for winning the tournament. Everybody at Cork and Dublin (Cork fans here) are ecstatic. My third cup. In interview's, only words I could say was: "Finally we beat Shelbourne. That is great! And in where, yes, in the battle of Ireland!" There started an enormous rivalary. Though, we all went out to party till the morning, with fans too. A great win!

retired_clee-man

nice story, please keep on going ~

retired_puly1364

31st of May 2006

We were resting half of the first team squad again as Mayo travelled to Turners Cross to meet us in League Cup first round. I rested John O'Flynn, as also few midfielders and defenders. The game was a must win for sure, as the odds said we have 50x times better chance to win this.

Irish League Cup, First Round
Cork City 2:0 Mayo (39., 87. Neale Fenn)

So though, still in dreamland after the All-Ireland Cup win, we managed to win through Neale Fenn's two goals. He also scored an penalty in the finals.

But we are doing some "historical" things with Cork. While offering around 15 new contracts to first team players - around 6 players also got hand on their full time contract. One of those players was John O'Flynn. Our balance at books is 700 000 pounds. But we have actually it should be 1,3 million, but we have paid 600k pounds as a cover of our loans.

(Author's note: The number 1,3 million is written in our finances though, but in reality, what the goverment knows is 700k)

1st of June

George O'Gallaghan's goal againist Drogheda Utd was chosen as a third goal of the month.

Our 2nd round draw in Irish League Cup bringed us Monaghan Utd.

3rd of June

Over a long time, we finally had an league game. Our 10th game in the league was an home match againist Derry City, who we lost in last minute when we met at their home stadium in the first week of the season. It was time for revenge, though, without George O'Gallaghan in the squad. The team has looked strong lately, as the result showed and it was time to climb up in the table. The eyes were on John O'Flynn who finally signed an new contract. Will it help him to score in league the same way like he did in All-Ireland Cup?

Irish Premier Division, Week 10
Cork City 2:1 Derry City (10., 56. John O'Flynn)

He did it! Again! John O'Flynn is back at his best it seems. He scored his 5th league goal of the season and 15th goal in all competitions (9 goals in All-Ireland Cup). An little comments from an Derry City fan in some football forum:

"Cork wins again. It seems like the club has finally refound their last season's form. The way how they play at the moment is amazing - I don't see no club in Ireland to beat them at the moment. Though, it was sad to see my team lose tonight, but Cork deserved to win with a much bigger margin. John O'Flynn should move abroad, his an great talent and a material for Ireland! By the mile best stiker the league has got. I see Cork getting the first place in league soon enough. I'm really hoping to see them doing fine in CL also."

retired_puly1364

Thanks Shanksie. Nice to see that I've got readers.

retired_puly1364

7th of June 2006

Thanks to the All-Ireland Cup, we had two games moved foward in the league. One of those games was away match to Longford, who were having an okay season. The trip to there wasn't very comfortable, especially, I wanted to pee very often. I think I drank too much last night. Anyway, otherwise we got there without big problems.

Irish Premier Divison, Week 11
Longford 0:1 Cork City (77. Denis Behan)

Another win for us. John O'Flynn got a bit hurt before the half-time, so I bringed him out for Behan. But it wasn't anything bad. Just some game-knock that isn't even an injury. Anyway, Behan scored another goal - he's been very good this season. I think our 2nd best goalscorer. But maybe George has more than him. Haven't looked at those stats much.

10th of June 2006

From Longford, we travelled with the same team to visit Finn Harps. Only that George O'Gallaghan joined the squad to be on bench this game. They were been an nice team this season - beating some bigger team asses sometimes and we had to be aware of that. One of our player, Neale Fenn, got food-poisoned while eating at some local restaurant. But we are not gonna sue them because, we don't have time to start doing things like that. He's an bench player, so it wasn't a hit to Starting XI. We still feel sorry for him ofcourse, though, he is one of the few fringe players who refused to sign an new contract.

Irish Premier Division, Week 12
Finn Harps 0:1 Cork City (90. John O'Flynn)

Yes, again 90th minute. (I think we've earned around 7-10 points with them) This time, it was on third injurytime minute. But ofcourse it was well earned. We again had control over the match.

13th of June 2006

Busy month as you can see. We are having games every second day, though, after that & Bohemians match, we should have some more rest-time. We hosted relegation favourites Galway Utd who I picked for relegation. It was a must win game ofcourse. We went to face Galway with our best line-up. Only that we put George O'Gallaghan on bench so he would have some more time to recover.

Irish Premier Division, Week 13
Cork City 3:0 Galway Utd (3., 19. John O'Flynn, 21. Thomas Morgan)

That game should have been won with a big margin, but okay with the 3:0 too. It's nice to have 3 clean-sheets in a row. Defence is getting better and better every match. We are also back on position 1! With 29, next team is Shelbourne with 27, who time to time seems to struggle with the results. They are very inconsistent.

retired_puly1364

15th of June 2006

We surpisingly fell down on UEFA’s Europen club rankings. We are on the position 335 and best Irish club is on 319th position. That table is wrong.

16th of June 2006

Inform Bohemians came to visit as. They have been winning recently and have 4 wins in a row. They’re also slowly climbing up the table. Though, our form is equal to them, if not better. I had most of the players to choose from so this was set to be an hot game.

Irish Premier Division, Week 14
Cork City 4:2 Bohemians (15., 25. Denis Behan, 58. George O’Gallaghan, 80. pen. Billy Woods)

So comfortable win. I wish I would have not let in those 2 goals, but okay then. I’m still first in the table with 4 points. Behan is starting to build an reputation here and he’s skills have not been unnoticed from me, once O’Flynn will left – he will take over the goalscoring and he shuold do just fine.

21st of June 2006

We had an second round game in League Cup and we met Monaghan Utd at home. It was a must win even with half squad, so I did give some players rest. It was pointless to make them tired in this game.

Irish League Cup, 2nd Round
Cork City 1:0 Monaghan Utd (20. Denis Behan)

So win came and our next round opponent is Dublin City on 5th of July. Denis again on scoresheet, which makes me happy. He’s just 21-years old. He will develop into a good player for sure. I need to talk to him, maybe I can get him to some foreign league soon.

25th of June 2006

We had an game againist Dundalk, a team that started our low point of the season earlier.
I did hope that on my 365th day in Cork we would celebrate it in style. (Though, home come that I joined Cork on 4th of July, but it’s year already in 25th of June next year?)

Irish Premier Division, Week 15
Dundalk 1:1 Cork CIty (82. Liam Kearney)

Yes, I’m angry. Again an draw againist a team that fights for relegation. Also we would have moved 7 points clear. We played good, but couldn’t finish the chances we created. I just hope it doesen’t affect our form much.

28th of June 2006

Brian Lennox was in Nyon to take part of the draw of Champions League first two qualifying rounds. He called me soon and said a name of the name I had to do some homework. That team was HSK Zrijnski Mostar from Bosnia and Hertzogovina. First leg will be played away on Wednesday, 12th of July. The return will be on 19th of July. If we win – the next opponent will be Debrecen from Hungary.

To gain confindence which may have been lost after that draw with Dundalk, I started with my best squad in Munster Senior Cup match againist Cobh Ramblers.

Munstar Senior Cup, Semifinal
Cobh Ramblers 0:4 Cork City (9. Alan Bennett, 19. George O’Gallaghan, 25. John O’Flynn, 73. Gary Curran)

I bringed 3 of the big players out after first half. Nice win and we are through to the finals where we will meet Tralee Dynamos. We also got a nice 4100k which were shared with the players.

1st of July 2006

I was chosen as the manager of the month for the 3rd time in my career in Ireland. But the most important thing that day was a away game againist Bray Wanderers. They were an though team to beat at home and I had to do without few key players.

Irish Premier Division, Week 16
Bray Wanderers 0:1 Cork City (81. Roy O’Donovan)

Late goal from Roy bringed us another 3 points. Still leaders with 5 points. Shelbourne will be a bigger threat now though. They bringed in a lot of new players who’ve got some experience. Like Shaka Hislop to take over the goalkeeper gloves + few more. Though, they’re star player, Glen Crowe left to Crystal Palace.

retired_milla0225

Nice story Tanel. Keep it up.