Lots to look forward to in 2024
Well, 2023 is over and we’re probably all pretty happy with that! I’m not sure it’s a year that will be looked back upon with much fondness by many people.
2024 is upon us and it promises to be an extremely exciting year in Cork. It’s a county that boasts great culture, festivals, food with a vibrant and eclectic sporting culture too so there’s so much to look forward to this year.
I’ll have a look at some of the main sporting highlights to come although I’ll leave the GAA to our brilliant columnist Finbarr McCarthy when he returns in a few weeks.
Of course, there are a huge number of other cultural highlights set to take place next year.
For Munster Rugby, it should be an exciting 2024 since we possess one of the most exciting teams in European club rugby. Last season this young team took an amazing win in the United Rugby Championship beating a host of the best Irish, Scottish and South African teams away from home while playing a very exciting brand of rugby.
Last season was the first in charge for the new management team of head coach Graham Rowntree, attack coach Mike Prendergast, forwards coach Andi Kyriacou and defence coach Denis Leamy. They transformed Munster from a stodgy, slow-paced forward-orientated team to one that is capable of scoring tries from anywhere and plays with freedom and verve.
Sadly, this season things aren’t going well at the close of 2023, due primarily to a glut of injuries. The current injury list totals well over a full 15 of players and including the likes of Irish internationals Peter O’Mahony and Dave Kilcoyne, World Cup winners Jean Klein and RG Snyman and new signings Oli Jager and Alex Nankivell. There’s very little cover at hooker and the line out has suffered.
As a result Munster are struggling in Europe and are tenth in the URC. Unfortunately after losing four games in a row, Munster’s season may already be over.
Cork City endured a very difficult season last year, suffering a relegation to the Airtrictiy First Division after losing to Waterford in a playoff.
They have signed Tim Clancy as the new manager, who has a proven record at Premier Division level. He managed Drogheha United to a promotion and a seventh place finish in the Premier Division the following year. As St Patrick’s Athletic manager, he took them to Europe where they performed very creditably.
His squad has started to take shape in the last few weeks with City signing English goalkeeper Bradley Wade, Cobh Ramblers’ Jack Doherty and Charlie Lyons and Derry academy product Evan McLaughlin. City have also re-signed the likes of Barry Coffey, John O'Donovan, Darragh Crowley and wingers Malik Dijksteel and Cian Bargary. The biggest signing is the skilful midfielder Greg Bolger from Sligo Rovers.
Lack of space means I’ll have a look at some of the many other great Cork teams and events in another column. After all, there’s an Olympics to look forward to this summer and happy new year to our readers!