Cork City sign former Championship and Ireland Under-21 midfielder ahead of promotion bid

Former Watford and Ireland underage midfielder Sean Murray arrives at Turner's Cross on-loan until the end of July.

Cork City have signed former Watford and Ireland Under-21 midfielder Sean Murray on a short-term loan from Glentoran.

Murray, who made 75 Championship appearances for the Hornets, previously lined out in the League of Ireland with Dundalk, where he won a Premier Division title and an FAI Cup, and played in the Europa League group stages.

He has signed at Turner’s Cross until the end of July.

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“Everything happened really quickly last week and I’m buzzing to be here,” the 30-year-old said.

“I know from playing at Turner’s Cross in the past what it’s like to come to play against Cork City. This is a big club.

“For Turner’s Cross now to be my home ground is brilliant and I am really looking forward to it.

“I know from playing here before that the home fans are loud and passionate, so to be playing in front of them will be great.”

The Leesiders are looking to bounce straight back up to the Premier Division under new boss Tim Clancy and Murray feels he can make a big contribution.

“Tim has explained his ambitions for the coming season to me,” he said.

“There is a good squad being built here for the coming season and I hope that me coming in can add a bit of experience to the group.

“I’ve played a lot of games in this league, so I know what it is like and I can’t wait to get started.”

Murray also played in England with Swindon Town and Colchester United, and in Denmark with Vejle, before his move to Dundalk in 2019.

Cork boss Clancy said: “We have a lot of talented young players but it is really good for us to be able to add more experience to that.

“Sean has a huge amount of experience; he played at Championship level in England when he was younger and, more recently, has won trophies in this league as well when he was at Dundalk.

“He is coming into the group at a really good age and he will be brilliant for the young lads.

“If you look back at his career, he scores goals, whether that is through the middle or out wide. From an offensive point of view, he will bring creativity and goals to the side.

“When you have plenty of players who can score goals in your team, that takes the pressure off the strikers as well, and I think that is important, so we are really glad to have Sean on board.”

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