KARL SHEPPARD GOT his Cork City tally up and running on Tuesday night but believes his best is still to come.
The striker, who scored in the 2-0 win over his former club Galway United at Turner’s Cross, joined the Leesiders from Shamrock Rovers back in November after being persuaded to make the move by the words of manager John Caulfield.
“When I spoke to John he was very straightforward with me and that is what I liked,” Sheppard told The42. “He thought I was a good player but almost had a little pop and said I wasn’t playing to the level that I should be at Shamrock Rovers and I wasn’t getting regular games.
“He told me that if I came down and worked hard he would give me the chance and if I was performing I would play. I think that is what any player wants to hear. His honesty and how he spoke about the passion of the fans down here is what really got me.”
Sheppard was part of Hoops’ title-winning side in 2011 and played a pivotal role in their run to the Europa League group stages before making a dream move to Reading the following year.
The switch didn’t work out, however, and the former Ireland U21 international was loaned out to Accrington Stanley. A return to the League of Ireland followed as he rejoined Rovers, initially on loan, and spent two years back in Tallaght without setting the world alight under Trevor Croly and, last season, Pat Fenlon.
Sheppard admits he hasn’t been firing on all cylinders in recent times and the chance to make a fresh start with the Rebels appealed to him. Life has begun well under Caulfield and, having come close against Limerick and Shamrock Rovers, he found the back of the net earlier this week.
“I’m a striker and I like to score goals but for me it’s about putting your head down and trying to get into the team every week,” he says. “If I’m playing well hopefully the goals will come.
“I had a few chances against Limerick and was disappointed that I didn’t take one, then I had one against Rovers but I knew that if I was getting in the right places and making chances then the goal would always come and thankfully I got off the mark against Galway. Even better, we got three points.”
With two wins and two draws in the opening three weeks of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season, Cork have begun the season relatively well and can close the gap at the top with a win over Bray Wanderers at the Carlisle Grounds tonight.
“We’re happy enough with how things are going so far,” Sheppard explains. “We would probably like to get a few more goals and points on the board but we’re ticking over nicely.
We’re not as direct as they were last year and we’re starting to play some nice football. But we’re not afraid to mix it up and we are turning times and getting an early ball in behind them, which is what I enjoy as it suits me better.
“We can also pass it and have great players like (Liam) Miller, (Colin) Healy, (Garry) Buckley and (Gavan) Holohan in midfield. That is some serious quality in there.
“We want to go up there and get three points but we know it won’t be easy and I’ve had many games where Bray are sitting back and hitting you on the break. We won’t be underestimating how good a side they can be on their day.”
A player with a wealth of experience, you would be forgiven for forgetting that Sheppard only turned 24 last month. The plan is to give absolutely everything to making this season a success, but if the opportunity to go back across the water was arose, he would be open to having another crack at it.
“When I was speaking to John he was saying that I need to get playing regularly if I want to get back over (to England) and that is something I want to look at if I have a good year.
“I wouldn’t turn down the opportunity but I need to just get my head down and work hard this season then maybe worry about that at the end of the year. I haven’t been burned by my past experiences so it is definitely something I would look at again.”
SSE Airtricity League fixtures
Premier Division – 7.45pm Friday unless stated
- Derry City v Drogheda United
- Dundalk v Sligo Rovers
- Galway United v Longford Town
- Shamrock Rovers v Bohemians (8pm)
- Bray Wanderers v Cork City (5.45pm, Saturday)
- Limerick v St Patrick’s Athletic (6.30pm, Saturday)
First Division – 8pm Friday unless stated
- Cabinteely v Waterford United (7.45pm)
- Finn Harps v Cobh Ramblers
- Shelbourne v Athlone Town
- Wexford Youths v UCD
