Examiner Article

[Éanna]

December 21, 2001
New deal for Murphy reflects board satisfaction


By Bill George
LIAM MURPHY yesterday signed a two year extension to his contract which will keep him with Cork City for another two years, until the end of season 2002/2003.
Murphy, who turned 40 yesterday, has been 22 years in the League of Ireland as player with Limerick and Cork and coach/manager with Cork for the past four years.

He took over as manager of Cork 12 months ago when he succeeded Derek Mountfield after serving as assistant to the former Everton manager and previous to that as assistant to Dave Barry.

His contract extension clearly reflects the satisfaction of the board at Cork City with his efforts since he took over, even if the defeat in the Carlsberg FAI Cup last Sunday by Shamrock Rovers was a major set-back.

He said: “My contract was due to expire shortly and I’m glad we have sorted it out early because I especially want to see my job through here.”

That begged the question as to whether the team he is building — and Cork had six players on the pitch against Rovers who were aged 23 or under — is being developed with a view more to the future than the present.

“Not at all” he responded, “I want us to win trophies now. You go into every match wanting to win that day. Last season we were nowhere halfway through the season and came through to qualify for Europe and while losing to Rovers was a disappointment the people at Cork City could see where we are going.”

Cork were in danger of slumping into the relegation zone when he took over 12 months ago and he reviewed the past year by saying: “I had a job on my hands to change things round. I had to bring in some new players and I do not see a problem with that now.

“We were unlucky last week but the players are learning fast. You learn more in your first season than you do in the next four or five.

“Last week was still a progression. When I started out people would say, ‘don’t worry, you have plenty of time’ but it was 10 years before I saw a trophy and many players don’t last that long.

“Our players are young but some are very experienced, like Conor O’Grady who has been in the league since he was 16.

“We want to have a cut off winning trophies now and we are in a good position in the league.

“I would say if we are still there for the closing stages we will give it a good go. We must get rid of some cobwebs because at this stage we are conceding too many goals and not scoring enough. But the teams above us have not everything right either and Cork City traditionally finish the season strongly, so we will see,” he said.

Cork travel to Monaghan United this Sunday needing a win to stay in step with the leading teams.

Murphy will take the opportunity to rest Neal Horgan for the full-back has been fighting an ankle injury in recent weeks and Stephen Napier is ready to deputise.

Murphy also moved yesterday to strengthen a midfield that is short of Kelvin Flanagan, Colin O’Brien and Greg O’Halloran of last season’s squad by signing Michael McConroy of UCC. McConroy played on the Irish Universities’ representative team that played in the World Student Games in Beijing at the beginning of the season and he is likely to be in the squad for the match against Monaghan.
© Irish Examiner, 2001

Murphy also moved yesterday to strengthen a midfield that is short of Kelvin Flanagan, Colin O’Brien and Greg O’Halloran

So Herrick was never there was he?! This is a dark day for the future of this club.