Dear George

26th Jul 2006

Dear George
Finbarr Barry & Alan Garfield

"I just called to say...I love you."

In Cork City FC's short history, no player has ever captured our imagination like George O'Callaghan. When he was first signed in May 2002, George was something of an unknown quantity. Everyone knew he had been with Port Vale for a few seasons but would he play on the wing, at midfield or as a striker?

As it happened, he played all these positions over the years, but none quite as effectively as the majestic displays he put in so consistently in the league winning season last year. Who can forget those pictures after the Derry game when the title was claimed and O'Callaghan was hauled up into the shed by adoring fans?

Trust a Cork team to raise the skill level in the Eircom league and Georgie led by example. Much like Cork hurlers' running game George's clever flicks, deft first touches sniping runs and sublime passes brought the Eircom league out of the prehistoric nod-and-hoof boredom of old and into touching distance of Champions League group stages.

O'Callaghan was a player who truly blossomed in the rescheduled summer league of 'sunshine football' but like many Cork players at the top in their sports he comes with a short fuse. Clubs who fail to meet City's high skill standard tend to focus on George's temper in fear of being left red faced by his superior talent on the ball. They wind him up, they hack at his legs, they tug his jersey, they whisper Matteratzis in his ear but all he wants to do is to play ball and bring titles to Leeside.

Referees unused to a player so focussed on ball skill offered him little protection despite his relentless (and justified) complaints. For the most part he kept quiet and just got on with things, but after a few too many challenges, he'd leave rip with his tongue. Eventually this just earned him a reputation as a whinger, and yellow cards for lip became an all too familiar sight.

C'mon George willa

After a game in May against Shels we lauded George for his straight talking. A true Cork man, he was incensed when Shelbourne's captain dismissed Cork's chances of retaining the league title. Instead of reacting irrationally on the field he did the opposite scoring a scintillating free kick and making the Dubs eat their dirty words with a 2-1 victory returning City to the summit of the league. Afterwards he said:

"We really stuck one up them here tonight. Let them take a look at the league table now and see what they have to say".

The most talented player Cork City FC has ever seen, a true champion of the People's Republic sits at home tonight when City locked horns with Red Star Belgrade in the biggest match to be played at Turners Cross'