MERRY MAGUIRE

Boss shows him the money & delighted ace Sean confirms he had him at hello

SEANIE MAGUIRE says he owed it to John Caulfield to spend another season with Cork City.

Scorer of 29 goals in all competition last season, the hotshot striker penned a new deal with the Rebels yesterday.

And it’s a major boost to City’s title prospects next season as the FAI Cup winners look to deny Dundalk a fourth league in-a-row. Maguire won the FAI Cup for the Leesiders with a goal seconds before a penalty shootout to deny Dundalk the double-double. And immediately after the final whistle, Caulfield (above) expressed fears that Maguire could leave the club.

A couple of Championship clubs in England were tracking the Republic of Ireland under-21 international.

But the Kilkenny man, 22, yesterday revealed that he owed it to Caulfield to agree fresh terms and spearhead another title tilt.

Maguire said: “I’m absolutely delighted. I owe it to Cork City and John for what they did for me this time last season.

“John took a gamble on me coming down here and, after the season I’ve had, I owe Cork City another season at least.

“We want to have another crack at the league, because that is what this club deserves.”

Maguire added: “It was a great season but we want to go that one step further next season and hopefully win the league.

“When I met

John this time last year (having been at Dundalk), he told me he was going to give me the opportunity and it was up to me to take it.

“He played me in the first few games and I repaid his faith by scoring goals and continued that form throughout the season.

“I was enjoying my football, on and off the pitch because the group of players and staff here are the best I’ve been involved with.”

The ex-west Ham man added: “I can’t wait to get started again for next season.

“When you’re in a team that is confident, surrounded by good players, it gives you confidence.”

Caulfield is reshaping his squad ahead of next season having signed Conor Mccormack from Derry and ex-sligo Rovers pair Jimmy Keohane and Achille Campion.

But retaining Maguire was crucial to next season’s prospects and Caulfield said:

“The day after the Cup final. I had a chat with Seanie, I was confident he would sign back

“He had a phenomenal season and has put himself in the history books of Cork City with the winner in the cup final.

“We’re all striving to win trophies again next year and to make sure Seanie can get as many goals as possible. He’s a huge part of a very important group of lads.

“There was a great atmosphere and a great team spirit last year – I said all season that it was the best team we’ve had in my three years here and Seanie was a vital cog in that.”

Caulfield added: “Seanie is part of a really great group of lads and, thankfully, the majority of them are there again for next season.

“We hope that we can get better again in 2017 and Seanie will be a vital part of that.”