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The incident between Dennehy and O'Sullivan last weekend. Ryan Byrne/INPHO
Ill-Discipline

Dennehy shown the door at Cork days after on-field bust-up with team-mate

Manager John Caulfield insists his exit is not connected with the incident, however.

IT LOOKS LIKE Billy Dennehy may have played his last game for Cork City after manager John Caulfield revealed that the player has been allowed to “explore other options”.

28-year-old winger Dennehy, who is in his second spell with the Leesiders, has appeared in all but one of the club’s SSE Airtricity League Premier Division games this season — scoring eight goals along the way.

The Kerry native started in last Thursday’s 1-1 draw at home to KR Reykjavik in the Europa League first round qualifying and set up Alan Bennett’s first half goal with his delivery from a free-kick.

However, he was also involved in a scuffle with team-mate Mark O’Sullivan during the game, who were eventually separated by Billy’s brother Darren.

Speaking to Red FM ahead of the return leg in Iceland this Thursday, Caulfield said the player is now set to leave.

“Billy Dennehy isn’t travelling with us,” Caulfield explained. “I wasn’t going to keep him involved in this match and I’ve let Billy explore other options that he has on the table.

He wasn’t in my plans for this game, I had a chat with him and I’ve agreed to let him explore other opportunities he may have.”

Asked if it was a direct result of the bust-up between him and O’Sullivan, Caulfield responded:

“No, the bottom line for me as the manager is I have to do what I believe is right for the club moving forward, and by bringing in Steven Beattie I’m trying to enhance the squad and make it better.”

Daryl Horgan with Steven Beattie New arrival Steven Beattie. Ciaran Culligan / INPHO Ciaran Culligan / INPHO / INPHO

Meanwhile, Cork have announced the arrival of Steven Beattie from Sligo Rovers. The 26-year-old, who can operate as a winger or a striker, spent last season at Bohemians before following Owen Heary out west.

“I’m thrilled to sign Steven,” said Caulfield. “Obviously he was at Bohemians last year, and I tried to bring him in over the close-season; he chose to follow Owen Heary to Sligo, but an opportunity arose in the last week and I am pleased he has signed.

I think our crowd will love him, he’s an exciting player, he’s full of energy and pace and he’s great at creating chances. He can play wide left, wide right or through the middle. I think we have found that we need to create more chances and I think he will help us to do that.

“He has caused us problems when he has played against us,” he added. “He is a whole-hearted, exciting player and I think our supporters will appreciate that he will be a fantastic team player.”

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