Cork City close to signing two goalkeepers as Tim Clancy explains Brad Wade exit
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Cork City are hoping to announce the signing of two goalkeepers in the coming days as manager Tim Clancy opens up on the reason why Brad Wade’s contract wasn’t renewed.
City announced at the beginning of November that Wade, a fan favourite who made a string of sensational saves on his way to keeping 21 clean sheets in all competitions last season, had been released along with Jack Doherty, Cian Murphy, Cian Bargary, John O’Donovan and Aidan Dowling.
So far, the Leesiders have signed winger Alex Nolan and left-back Benny Couto as they build for their return to the League of Ireland Premier Division in 2025.
And speaking to the Irish Examiner at the Soccer Writers Ireland Annual Awards on Friday, Clancy explained why Wade’s services were not retained.
“We spoke to Brad, and we offered him something that he wasn’t happy with. He wanted more and then it just became a decision to make,” admitted Clancy.
“Sometimes you have a value, and players have their value and sometimes they don’t align and that is just what football is.
“We had to make that decision, but we are close to sorting out the goalkeeping position as well. Brad was brilliant for us last year, he came in and made some fantastic saves, some really highlight reel saves and kept a lot of clean sheets.
“That also ties into the defence we have as well. Football moves along very quickly, and we should be, hopefully, announcing two keepers that we have signed in the coming days.
“We have one done already and we’re practically all agreed on everything else on the other one so it is just a matter of getting things finalised and signed and we will be very happy with the options we have then.
“We have to try and work with what we have. We have to be clever enough with what we’re doing.
“We don’t want a situation, unfortunately you see the likes of Dundalk where there is mismanagement of finances and clubs get themselves in trouble.
“We don’t want to go up and just throw everything at it and not be successful with that sort of approach.
“We have a budget there that we are happy with. We have to look and be shrewd with that and make sure some of the signings that might be from outside the league that could be better value.”
One player who won’t be following Wade out the City exit door just yet is talented playmaker Cathal O’Sullivan.
The 17-year-old is contracted to the club until the end of next season, but he is attracting interest from a number of clubs in England, although he cannot transfer cross channel until after he turns 18 in March.
“At the start of the season I imagine Cathal will be with us. If you ask me, will he be here on the 29th of July, I don’t know,” added Clancy.
“Lads as talented as Cathal you’re inevitably going to have interest from further afield. Since I’ve been here, he has been absolutely phenomenal, he has a brilliant attitude, everything about him is great and watching him play is an absolute pleasure.
“You’ve got to take it as it comes. I’m sure there’s plenty of clubs interested in signing Cathal but right now he is preparing himself for pre-season on the 2nd of January and he will definitely be here on the 14th of February.
“I think he has ambitions to try and play in England so I’d imagine that’s the route he’s going to go down but it’s not really a conversation for Cathal, he’s really happy where he is and with the experience he is getting playing for his hometown club.”
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