Sadlier: I thrive on pressure

KIERAN VOWS TO BE BEST HE CAN AS HIS SEASON GETS OFF TO FLYER

KIERAN SADLIER is thriving on the pressure of becoming the Airtricity League’s next stand-out star.

The 23-year-old Cork City midfielder got his season off to a flyer at Richmond Park on Friday, scoring the winner in a 3-2 victory over St Pat’s straight from an 82nd minute corner kick.

It came less than a week after Leesiders boss John Caulfield (inset) branded the ex-sligo Rovers man the league’s most talented player and challenged him to show it week in week out.

“I don’t think it’s pressure at all,” stated Sadlier after 10-man

Cork’s victory. “It’s always good to get praise from people, especially from the manager. I thrive on pressure so it’s good for me.

“I’m happy with the way my game is going at the moment and the way I’m learning new things in training.

“As a footballer you want to be in the limelight and you want to be at a big club, you want to be competing to try and win stuff so it’s exactly where I want to be right now.

“I want to progress my game and I’m in the perfect place to improve and win stuff as well.” Sadlier joined Cork in July and played his part in the league and cup double triumph that followed but now he’s fully established at Turner’s Cross, he’s ready to kick on and win more.

“It took me a while to settle in but it was such a good year for the club. Personally, it was a good year as well,” he said.

“And this year is a massive year for me. I want to kick on, win things and obviously to be one of the best players in the league.

“That’s the target and I’ve got off to a good start. I’ll keep working hard and long may that continue.”

After coughing up a two-goal lead against Saints, Cork fought hard to triumph despite losing Graham Cummins to a red card after only 26 minutes.

“We can come back and score different types of goals,” said Sadlier. “It’s a good thing to have.” Caulfield admits it is a blow to lose Cummins for Friday’s clash with newlypromoted Waterford United who won their opener against Derry City.

Another new signing, Josh O’hanlon, is injured and the manager said: “People keep talking about panels and strength in depth but I keep saying that we had Josh out, Garry Buckley and John Dunleavy out and now we’re suddenly looking at Graham being out.

“Panels when everybody is fit are OK but when you get a couple of knocks then you just don’t have that real strength in depth.”