United’s statement of intent with signing of McCormack
AS statements of intent go, it’s pretty much up there with the best of them – a First Division club dipping into its pockets to prise a player away from a top-flight side. And not just any aul’ player, but the club captain.
That is what Galway United did in the last week, agreeing a transfer deal with Derry City to sign Conor McCormack, a man who wore the captain’s armband for the Candystripes in 2020, and had one year left on his contract with the Brandywell club.
“It is something that has been in the balance for a while, so it is great to get the deal done,” United manager John Caulfield told Tribune Sport this week.
“He was contracted to Derry City, but we knew he was open to a move, so we approached Derry City. It took a bit of time to work out, but we got there in the end, both clubs worked together on the deal,” he says.
As well as wearing the captain’s armband at the Brandywell, McCormack (30) also captained Cork City, leading the Leeside club to the league and cup double under Caulfield in 2017. Ironically, McCormack was also a Derry City player when Caulfield signed him for Cork City ahead of the start of that 2017 season.
He has also played for Shamrock Rovers (where he won the Premier Division in 2011) and St Patrick’s Athletic (winning the FAI Cup in 2014), as well as Serie B side Triestina in Italy.
“There was a small compensation payment involved, as he had another year on his contract with Derry. There are lots of rumours that it was this amount or that amount – it is a private matter between the clubs, but it is not the figures being mentioned, it was a small compensation.
“I want to thank our sponsors, all of our sponsors, whose backing has helped us sign Conor, and the rest of the squad for the upcoming season. They have been very good to the club, everyone of them, and their support is hugely important.
For more, read this week’s Connacht Tribune.
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