Cork City manager John Caulfield has admitted he was disappointed to lose winger Chiedozie Ogbene to Limerick during the off season. The promising 19 year old rejected a contract offer from the FAI Cup winners last winter in favour of a move to Mart
Cork City manager John Caulfield has admitted he was disappointed to lose winger Chiedozie Ogbene to Limerick during the off season.
The promising 19 year old rejected a contract offer from the FAI Cup winners last winter in favour of a move to Martin Russell’s newly promoted side.
And speaking to reporters ahead of the first Munster derby of the season at Markets field on Friday evening, Caulfield insisted he wanted to keep hold of the highly rated yougster.
“We were hoping he would stay, he was offered a contract and he declined it for a better contract in Limerick,” confirmed Caulfield.
“So we shook his hand and said good luck to him, we were disappointed at the time but we have moved on since, he’s taken that road.
“I keep saying sometimes when young players come through they think they might get better offers elsewhere and get more money and we can’t do anything about that, we have to work within our own limits here.
“We have to show the bigger picture, the opportunity and the pathway and generally that’s the way it works. But there will always be situations where somebody thinks differently and that’s fine, good luck to him, we wish him all the best.
“It’s much more about ourselves and making sure that the players are coming through that want to play for the club. The likes of (Mark) McNulty and (Alan) Bennett, these guys who are cork lads, (Gearoid) Morrissey, (Garry) Buckley all come up through who are really playing for their city and their county and that’s what you want.”
City’s midfielder Greg Bolger remains a doubt for the trip to Limerick whilst Steven Beattie and Johnny Dunleavy are hoping to make their return to the squad that is looking to make it seven wins from seven at the start of the new season.
And the Cork manager was keen to ensure that those on the fridges of the starting eleven remain focussed as the opportunities for game time will arise.
“There’s great spirit here and the lads are working hard but it’s difficult for some to get in,” added the former City forward.
“It was a situation where (Karl) Sheppard was disappointed he wasn’t featuring as much as he had been over the last two seasons but then an opportunity came for him last weekend and he took it which is brilliant and long may that continue.
“I expect fellas to be disappointed if they’re not playing but at the same time they can see from the performances that it’s hard to get in at the moment.
“We don’t reassure anyone, you keep encouraging them that they must keep themselves ready and be on the edge, whilst players will be disappointed, the last thing that any squad wants or any management is that they buggar off, start sulking and thinking about themselves because then they have no chance.
“You encourage them to keep their heads up, work hard in training train, as hard as you can, because anything can happen, injuries or suspensions so they just need to be ready.
“We don’t reassure them about a game because you can’t do that, you can’t promise anyone anything other than if they work hard, keep the head down, the opportunity will come for them, then they have to take it.”
Andrew Horgan
