SHEIK,RATTLE AND STROLL
Cork ace Horgan relishing his time at Rebels as ex-club Galway is dipped in uncertainty after Saudi takeover bid
Dundalk Cork City Friday, 7.35pm
v COLM HORGAN is cherishing the change of scene at Cork City as the champions gear up for a pivotal time in their season.
This time last year, the defender was facing into an ultimately doomed relegation battle with his local club Galway United.
That club is now readying itself for an intriguing period with the prospect of a takeover by Saudi investors gathering pace.
But having finally established himself in the Rebels team, Horgan wouldn’t swap his lot for anything ahead of a crunch topof-the-table clash on Friday and a Champions League run.
Eager to get back in the swing of things after the summer break, Cork head to Oriel Park on Friday for another key duel with their arch rivals Dundalk.
It kick starts a mammoth few weeks that incorporates games against Polish giants Legia Warsaw in the Champions League.
Horgan said yesterday: “It’s nice to have a different kind of pressure. Last year was very different for me and being captain added to it more. JOHN COTTER feels Cork City have the perfect response to jibes about who plays the better football.
“We’re top of the league,” says the Rebels assistant manager.
The champions won
“But now I’m going into games that are really exciting, rather than wondering about the what ifs and looking more at other team’s results.
“This year it’s been nice just trying to take care of ourselves.”
Horgan has become a key man in John Caulfield’s defence – although his spell with the Leesiders didn’t start off that way.
He was roasted by Dundalk’s Michael Duffy (below) in the curtain-raising President’s Cup in February and was hauled off at half-time.
Cork were 2-0 down at that stage, but came roaring back to win 4-2 after a remarkable second-half.
“It was probably my worst day out,” said Horgan. “I knew I couldn’t expect to play the next game against St Pat’s - and I didn’t.
“But I knew to keep my head down, train hard and if he got an injury othat I’d be ready to go and that’s what happened.you respect your opponent and seven games on the spin before the summer break and are well placed as they chase down backto-back titles.
But their arch rivals Dundalk are generally deemed to play the more attractive football and John Caulfield’s (left) men are just a point ahead before Friday’s showdown at Oriel Park.
Cotter said: “People might say do your homework. I’ve played against Mickey a lot and we know what to expect from each other.”
Duffy is on fire this season – arguably the standout player in the league – and will be a strong contender for ‘Player of the Year’ awards come the end of the campaign.
But Horgan isn’t handing him anyway awards just yet, insisting some of his own Cork City team-mates will have a say.
“He would be up there but there’s a few in our group too like Sads (Kieran Sadlier), Chops (Gearoid Morrissey) and Graham Cummins. “I don’t think Duffy would win it outright just now. We’ve a lot of really good players and we’re focusing on ourselves going there on Friday.”
And Horgan added: “We’re all raring to go. We’re well rested after the week off and Dundalk is definitely a nice one to come back to.
“But now we’re fully focused on being ready for Friday.” Dundalk play better football but we’re top of the table.”
The chasing pack have failed to deliver once again and the familiar top two are running away with the title race again.
Cotter added: “No club has got close to the two of us in the last few years. You need that rivalry to drive you on and all great sides have it.”
SOUTHEND