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Skipper: Murray, right, with manager Tommy Dunne. CorkCityFC.net
Airtricity League

We never threatened to go on strike, insists Cork skipper Murray

Defender Kevin Murray was confirmed as Cork City captain for 2013 yesterday.

CORK CITY’S NEW captain insists that there was never any threat of players going on strike during recent talks over Setanta Sports Cup payments.

Defender Kevin Murray was confirmed as Cork’s skipper for 2013 yesterday and immediately set about addressing rumours of a player walkout.

The Rebels start their season when Cliftonville visit Turner’s Cross on 11 February but there was speculation last week that the squad would refuse to play if they could not agree compensation payments for the two-legged cup tie.

The situation has now been resolved, Murray said on Monday, and insisted that the discussions between club and players always remained “amicable.”

“Obviously we have engaged with the club over the last couple of weeks,” he told CorkCityFC.net. “Representatives from both sides have sat down for discussions, and we are happy now that we have come to an agreement.

I am aware that there has been stuff mentioned in the press and online, but there is absolutely no truth in any of it. The discussions that took place were always amicable and there was never any mention of any strike by the players.

As a squad, we are happy to have it all sorted and we are now looking forward to getting back to competitive action.

Cork also announced the signing of winger Adam Rundle on Monday.

Rundle, 28,  previously played in the League of Ireland when he followed manager Roddy Collins from Carlisle United to Dublin City for a brief spell in 2004. He has played over 300 games in the English lower leagues including spells with Mansfield Town and Rochdale.

Rundle, who has been out of football recently for “family reasons”, joins after impressing Tommy Dunne during a week’s trial.

“I like to play in a team that gets the ball down and passes it, and I was impressed with how everyone wanted to pass the ball and play the game in the right way,” he said.

I hope I can pass some of my experience on to the younger lads. I did a bit of coaching in England and played a lot games there, so if I see any way that I can help younger lads then I’ll be happy to help them along.

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