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Moon phase

Cork City boss rules out a move for one of the club's former top goalscorers

Dave Mooney is currently a free agent after being released by League One side Southend United.

Dave Mooney celebrates scoring Dave Mooney celebrates after scoring for Cork City against FC Haka in the UEFA Cup in July 2008. Neil Danton / INPHO Neil Danton / INPHO / INPHO

CORK CITY AREN’T interested in bringing one of the most prolific strikers in the club’s history back to Turner’s Cross.

That’s according to manager John Caulfield, who insisted this afternoon that he won’t be making a move to sign Dave Mooney after he was released by Southend United.

Having ended the 2007 season as the League of Ireland Premier Division’s leading goalscorer after scoring 19 times in the league for Longford Town, Mooney followed manager Alan Mathews to Leeside for the 2008 campaign.

He netted 15 times in 22 league games — 20 in all competitions — before being signed by Reading in August of that year. Despite his premature departure, the Dubliner still ended that season as City’s top marksman and the joint leading goalscorer in the top flight.

Caulfield may be forced to search the market for a goalscorer this summer if star striker Sean Maguire, who’s being linked with a move to Preston North End, leaves the Premier Division leaders. However, Mooney won’t be a target for the City boss.

Charlton Athletic v Southend United - Sky Bet League One - The Valley Mooney pictured before Southend United's game against Charlton Athletic last month. EMPICS Sport EMPICS Sport

“I don’t think Dave would be a player who would be suited to us at this stage,” Caulfield said this afternoon at a press conference ahead of Friday’s visit to Oriel Park to take on reigning SSE Airtricity League Premier Division champions Dundalk.

“He was a great goalscorer when he was here, maybe 10 years ago, but I think our game has moved on. Dave is a very good finisher but I think we’re a different team, with the way we play, with the pace.

“Dave is a very good finisher, he could do well for some clubs, but I don’t think he’s the right man or fit for us. He’s not a player that I would see as a player that would come in. If we have to bring someone in, I don’t think Dave would be the guy at the moment.”


Cork City FC / SoundCloud

Mooney was let go recently by Southend, who narrowly missed out on making the play-offs in League One. Prior to joining Phil Brown’s side on a two-year deal, the 32-year-old scored 51 times during a four-year spell with Leyton Orient.

After being unable to make the breakthrough when he was bought by Reading, the former Shamrock Rovers striker had loan spells with Stockport County, Norwich City, Charlton Athletic and Colchester United.

Mooney featured regularly during his first season with Southend but opportunities were limited in the most recent campaign after he picked up an ankle injury back in October.

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