Coffey celebrates promotion in style

By Stephen Barry

Barry Coffey celebrated Cork City’s promotion to the SSE Airtricity League premier division in style with a hat-trick against Kerry in Tralee on Friday night.

After securing promotion the previous week against title rivals UCD, with the pressure off Cork put their Munster rivals to the sword.

“It’s hard to put into words really,” the 23-year-old Coffey said following their promotion.

“It’s everything we wanted to do at the start of the year. I wish we didn’t have to do it again, but we did it.

“I just want to shout out the boys who were here from the very start. Not even myself, but (Cian) Coleman, Murph (Cian Murphy), Bagsy (Cian Bargary), Daz (Darragh Crowley), John (O’Donovan), who went through last year and saw the downs of it.

“It’s very easy to turn a blind eye to that and turn your back to it but we faced it. We realised what it means, and these are nights the club needs to have to get to where it wants to go.

“To be a small part of that for my second time is special and truly deserved.”

Last year, City were relegated to the First Division but have already strengthened for next season by re-signing 11-time Ireland international Seani Maguire and 2023 top-scorer Ruairí Keating.

Manager Tim Clancy has also agreed to a two-year contract extension after rumours had linked him with a move to Scotland.

“I’m delighted for the staff,” Coffey added.

“You see the owner; the manager has signed a deal now. We’ve got players for next year already. It’s savage.

“It’s what this club needs to do, and these nights are what the club needs to get there. We have to enjoy it because it’s not easy.”