Cork boss frustrated but happy to be back

NEALE FENN claims that years of neglect of the Airtricity League came home to roost with the row that erupted over the resumption of the season.

The Cork City boss (above) is relieved that a starting date - July 31 - has been found but is frustrated it took so long to work it out due to disagreements between clubs.

“Years of neglect have finally come back to bite the league really,” said Fenn. “And I don’t blame the people who are in charge now really because they were kind of thrown in at the deep end with this.

“No one saw this pandemic happening in the first place obviously but then with what’s gone on with the FAI before and we’re trying to find solutions.

“They were putting it out to the clubs to try and sort it out between themselves and that was never really going to happen – each club is going to look after their best interests.

“The most important thing is that we know what games we’ve got, that football’s back and that’s what we’re focused on now.”

Fenn told RTE’S Soccer Podcast he will reassess his squad and could look at making other signings after putting his faith in a younger squad prior to the lockdown.

Cork only have three points from their opening five games and if that form continues will be in the pack of teams scrambling to avoid the relegation battle.

“We have to get on with it,” he said. “It was a long drawn out process, too long before we finally got a date, and to go around in circles and get back to where we were at the start is frustrating. But we know what it is now and we’ll just look forward to the season.”