IT HAS BEEN a busy day at Cork City Football Club.
With last night’s FAI Cup homecoming out of the way, the double-winners announced this afternoon that key forward Karl Sheppard has extended his stay on Leeside after being heavily-linked with Dundalk.
Talented midfielder Greg Bolger may have left Cork after agreeing to join Shamrock Rovers, but John Caulfield has been able to bring in ex-Peterborough United full-back Tobi Adebayo-Rowling.
The promising 20-year-old arrived in the League of Ireland in early 2016 — linking up with ex-Posh manager Dave Robertson at Sligo Rovers.
He appeared 28 times in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division this season, and follows the likes of Kieran Sadlier, Achille Campion, Jimmy Keohane and Steven Beattie by making the switch from the Bit O’Red in recent times.
“The club didn’t need much selling; when I heard that the interest was there I didn’t think about going anywhere else,” Adebayo-Rowling said. “I am buzzing to play at Turner’s Cross as a home player in front of all of the fans.
I have never played European football before, so the chance to play in the Champions League is a massive opportunity. I know everyone here has the same mindset and that is that we want to go and win the league again.”
Manager John Caulfield added: “We are delighted to bring Tobi in. He is 21 [20], can play in a number of positions and, after two seasons with Sligo, he has a quite a bit of experience for his age. He has great pace, he is a tremendous crosser of the ball and he will be a really good addition to our squad.
“The important thing for Tobi is to come in, kick on and fight for his place. He has tremendous qualities and he will find here that there is real determination to win trophies. He is going to be a very exciting player and I am looking forward to working with him.”
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Meanwhile, Roy Keane has heaped praise on City after they claimed a first-ever league/cup double. Keane, once of Cobh Ramblers, attended Sunday’s FAI Cup final with Ireland boss Martin O’Neill and spoke highly of their victory at the Aviva Stadium.
“Brilliant, it was a really good game,” the Corkman said today. “It was tough on Dundalk, but I really enjoyed the occasion. I’ve been to the last few finals. John Caulfield and the players, I thought they were brilliant — really fantastic.
“There was good tension in the game with a lot at stake. It’s really brilliant for Cork.”
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