Richardson to add strength to Cork steel
ADVERTISEMENT
click here to enlarge
Damien Richardson is determined to build on Cork's title success
Gerry
McDermott
AS the bulldozers move in to start demolishing 'The Shed' to make way for a new stand at Turner's Cross there is also a face-lift on the way for newly crowned Eircom League champions Cork City.
Manager Damien Richardson has promised the Rebel Army that next year's side will be physically stronger as he plans to beef up his players over the winter.
Richardson revealed that he intends to bring in rugby fitness experts in a bid to give his players the strength and explosive power they need to build on their title success.
"The game against Slavia Prague showed me we need to get physically stronger if we want to make an impression on Europe and we will be working hard on that aspect over the winter," said Richardson.
Being successful in Europe is the long term goal for both Richardson and his chairman Brian Lennox as they seek to build on the club's most successful season since 1993.
"This league win is very sweet for me but it is not as important in the long term as European football. That's the future," said Richardson.
"We have to have European football progression and the only way we are going to have it, is if the teams that go into Europe are able to play possession football, able to play strategic football.
"That's what I hope we have proven this year. We are ready for Europe next year although I know it is going to be a daunting task."
Richardson also wants to see behind the scenes changes at Cork with the development of a proper youth and U21 structure so the club can start producing their young players and he believes that they must start to improve their relationship with every other club in the southern province.
"We need money to do that. We have to organise money and maybe this will be the platform for us to attract some investors or some people who think something good is happening here."
Richardson also took time out to back moves to merge the Eircom League and the FAI and hopes that it finally bring to an end some of the problems that have beset the domestic league over the years.
"The problem with League of Ireland football is that it is still full of self interest.
"Until we get rid of those petty animosities and little jealousies we are never going to mature and blossom as a league.
"We need leadership from the Eircom League first of all and I am hoping that the FAI are going to step in and give us true leadership," said Richardson.
http://www.unison.ie/irish_independe...issue_id=13305