Barry Robson is thrilled to see his Cork City goalkeeper Conor Brann handed a first Ireland call-up but admits he’ll be missed for Friday week’s visit of Finn Harps.
Brann will remain between the sticks for the next two games over four days, starting with a trip to Athlone Town on Friday before Monday’s rearranged Munster derby against Treaty United at Markets Field.
Ireland manager Heimir Hallgrímsson and his goalkeeping coach Gudmundur Hreidarsson were impressed with what they saw of the 6’3″ last season despite City suffering relegation. He’s joined by another League of Ireland goalkeeper, Ed McGinty, in the panel for the friendlies at home to Qatar next Thursday and away to Canada on June 5.
“I’m delighted for Conor,” said his City boss Robson. “He’s got to keep improving. It’ll give him a real insight when he’s working with elite players. That can always help him.
“Mark McNulty has been working hard with him and as a young goalkeeper he’s still got a lot to learn. It’s good for Cork City that we’re getting Cillian Murphy, Brody Lee and Tom McGrath in the younger Ireland squads too.
“The manager (Hallgrímsson) spoke to me on the phone and we’re pleased for Conor. It’s a good opportunity for him.”
Cork City manager Barry Robson. Pic: INPHO/Nick Elliott
Robson has gotten used to losing key players for international duty outside of the FIFA windows in which club fixtures are suspended.
“We missed Cillian Murphy for a few games and because he played three games away (for Ireland’s U17s) we looked after him when he came back,” explained the Scot.
Robson’s Rebels have recovered from losing their spot at the summit to UCD by recording back-to-back victories against the Students and then Longford Town last Saturday. They sit six points clear, with Monday’s game-in-hand to boot.
Squad depth is being stretched, given both Josh Fitzpatrick and Matty Kiernan are sidelined for ‘a while,’ but the manager isn’t thinking short-term when it comes to investing in the squad.
“We’ve got some good young players but at this club you’ve to earn a place in the team. If they do that, they’ll get an opportunity.
“You’ve got to be physically and tactically ready because one mistake can cost you in the first team.
“You need to get the trust of your coaches and managers but most importantly your teammates. Some players sometimes forget that.
“The intensity has gotten way more as we’ve gone along and structurally we’ve gotten better but there’s still a lot to do recruitment-wise.
It’s a long season and we’ve not the biggest of squads but with where the club wants to go, it will take three or four transfer windows. We’re building from the bottom up.
“The summer window will be difficult because we’re in the lower division. We need players that can help us in this division and then help us in the top division. We’re trying to do it properly and have set out some planning for that.”
Meanwhile, Bohemians are keeping hold of Dawson Devoy for their two games next week, ruling out a debut against Qatar.
Once Friday’s trip to Sligo Rovers is done, he’ll report ahead of the Canada match. By contract, Bohs’ opponents next Monday, Shamrock Rovers, are allowing their pair of inclusions, McGinty and winger Adam Brennan, to skip both games so they can assemble with the UK-based players on day one.
PREMIER DIVISION: Derry City v St Patrick’s Athletic, Ryan McBride Brandywell; Drogheda United v Dundalk, Sullivan and Lambe Park (8pm); Galway United v Bohemians, Eamonn Deacy Park; Shamrock Rovers v Galway United, Tallaght Stadium (8pm); Shelbourne v Waterford, Tolka Park.
FIRST DIVISION: Athlone Town v Cork City, Athlone Town Stadium; Finn Harps v Longford Town, Finn Park; Kerry v Bray Wanderers, Mounthawk Park; Treaty United v Cobh Ramblers, Markets Field; Wexford FC v UCD, Ferrycarrig Park.