Ruairi Keating sets out huge ambitions for next season as he looks forward to linking up with Sean Maguire at Cork City
With Ireland striker Sean Maguire joining Ruairi Higgins as new arrivals, Cork City are already building for next season’s Premier Division campaign
New signing Ruairi Keating was barely in the door when he was joined earlier this week by Sean Maguire - an addition that he believes can see Cork City challenging for top honours and European football once again.
Keating returned to Turner’s Cross last week after spending half a season at St Patrick’s Athletic.
And earlier this week the Leesiders announced another striking comeback - this time of 11-time capped Ireland striker Sean Maguire.
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Between them they can boast 82 goals in 139 appearances for City.
With that kind of goal-power, this past week has seen the Rebel Army make a serious statement of intent, with promotion back to the top-flight all but certain.
They are 15 points clear of second-placed Athlone Town ahead of Friday’s meeting between the two sides, and Keating said of the recent transfer business: “It's huge.
“It just shows the size of the club and what it means to people, how brilliant Cork can be.
“To be back in the Premier next year with the two of us over the line, it only shows where the club wants to go. We want to get back to Europe and challenge for leagues again.”
Keating remembers his time at Sligo Rovers when Maguire was there on loan from West Ham 10 years ago.
“I came through the academy at Sligo when he was on loan, so I spent a half a season with him. I know all about him, I’m good friends with one of his best buddies,” he said.
“We have mutual friends. I have followed his career and am sure I can learn a thing or two from him.”
Keating made his second Cork City debut in last Friday’s 1-1 draw away to Treaty United and admitted that he was slightly off the pace.
He can’t wait to link up with Maguire and get his sharpness back alongside the former Preston man.
“I just need to get going again, I need to get fit and build the confidence back up again. I haven’t played that much, so it’s all about getting back in and playing as much as I can,” he said.
“I’m really excited. And with the (Sean Maguire) news I’m sure the place will be absolutely bouncing. I can’t wait until Friday. I’m looking forward to playing (at Turner’s Cross) again.
“It’s unbelievable. Who would have thought six months ago that the two of us would be here playing together. It’s really exciting and I can’t wait to start playing with him.
“For the two of us to be here together, it’s going to be really special and I can’t wait.”
Keating reckons Maguire’s return is part of a bigger pattern in the League of Ireland, where big-name players see the game here as an attractive option.
Galway United recently signed Greg Cunningham, while Bohemians brought Ross Tierney and Dawson Devoy back to Dalymount Park.
“We want to boost Irish football, we want our best players playing in the league every week,” he said.
“It shows you that when lads are turning down moves elsewhere to come back to the League of Ireland, it shows exactly where it's at and it's only going to get better hopefully.”
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