Cork City’s Ruairí Keating has hailed the arrival of Irish-capped striker Seani Maguire as “unbelievable” and hopes the pair can flourish to help the club back to European football.
The past fortnight has seen the Leesiders pull off two major signings as Keating’s return to the club was followed by the major news that Maguire had put pen to paper on a multi-year deal with Tim Clancy’s men.
Maguire, capped 11 times for Ireland, netted over 50 goals for Cork during his season-and-a-half stint across 2016 and 2017, helping the club to a Premier Division title as well as an FAI Cup before moving to Preston North End.
The 30-year-old was linked with a number of Premier Division sides but decided to return to Turners Cross, with the First Division side well on course to automatic promotion as they currently sit 15 points clear at the summit ahead of tomorrow’s night’s clash with second placed Athlone Town.
— Cork City FC (@CorkCityFC) August 6, 2024Cork City FC are delighted to announce the return of Seani Maguire to the club on a multi-year contract.
Welcome home, Seani 💚https://t.co/rNsINYIvyI#CCFC84 || #LOI pic.twitter.com/8I3Peytckh
Keating, who made his return to action last week after cutting his time at St Patrick’s Athletic short, lauded Maguire’s arrival and hopes the pair can hit the ground running, with the Leesiders also targeting an FAI Cup run as a third round clash at home to Derry City awaits in eight days time.
“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,” said Keating.
“I suppose when you are a striker for Cork City and you score some goals, I don’t think they (fans) ever forget. The season I had last year, how they warmed to me, and the couple of seasons Seani had here and the success they had, I don’t think that goes away.
“It’s a very unique position, playing up front. When somebody comes in the door and does well, everybody loves that number 9. For the two of us to be here together, it’s going to be really special and I can’t wait.”
“I suppose with the game he has and the game I have, we can kind of do it all,” he said, when asked about how the pair would combine on the pitch.
“A mix of both, maybe. He can drop in and I can go long, and vice versa. We can work really well together. I'm just excited to get him in the door and see him and get playing with him. I'm sure it'll be special.”
With he and Maguire both returning to Turners Cross over the last 10 days, Keating says the signings are a statement of intent of where the club wants to go.
“It just shows the size of the club and what it means to people, how brilliant Cork can be,” added the Mayo man.
“To be back in the Premier Division 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 challenging for leagues again.
“I came through the academy at Sligo Rovers when he was on loan from West Ham so I spent a half a season with him. I’m good friends with one of his best buddies and we have mutual friends. I have followed his career and am sure I can learn a thing or two off him.”
With Cork looking to book their ticket back to the top flight over the next couple of weeks, Keating feels the club will be more than able to compete in the Premier Division next term.
“We don’t want what happened last year (relegation) to happen again. We will have learned from that and I think the signings show the intent we have,” said Keating.
“Look how well Waterford and Galway are doing, the league is getting more competitive every year. Shelbourne are sitting on top and nobody would have called that. It’s definitely a stronger league, everybody can beat everybody. There are a lot of good teams in that league and Cork coming back up is only going to make it stronger.
“It’s been a great few days, settling in nicely again. It feels like I never left. I’m just looking forward to finishing the season as strong as we can.”
