O'Connor hoping for a return

REPUBLIC OF Ireland under-21 international Shane O’Connor is hoping that a successful spell with his hometown club, Cork City, will help him to relaunch his career back in England although after his parting shot at Paul Jewell on Twitter it seems safe to assume that he won’t be playing for the Ipswich Town manager again.

The young defender, whose contract at Portman Road was cancelled by mutual consent last month, was enthusiastic about the move home at a City press conference yesterday, insisting that he feels he can progress his career at Turner’s Cross.

“I did have other offers, but I am very pleased to have signed for Cork City,” he said. “I am aware of the history of the club and some of the players who have played here before. I want to enjoy my football, but I’m also ambitious and I wanted to sign for a club where I believe we can challenge to win things, and I believe I can do that at Cork City.”

On Twitter, over the last day or so, he has been rather less diplomatic, however, with the 21-year-old telling followers: “can’t wait to get started now, get back to England and prove all the doubters wrong.”

He concludes the message: “#c**tjewell, I’ll be back :-)”

The message sparked a fairly colourful debate with Ipswich fans during which O’Connor twice tries to row back on the reference to Jewell, suggests it was a mistake and then describes it as “good banter”.

City manager Tommy Dunne, who beat Shamrock Rovers and Dundalk amongst others to O’Connor’s signature and who described the player’s arrival as “exciting” will doubtlessly hope they eventually part on somewhat better terms.

Andy Keogh, meanwhile, insists that Millwall’s precarious position in the Championship is part of the reason he decided to leave Leeds United for the London club which he has joined on a two-and-a-half-year deal.

“That’s why I’ve come here,” the Ireland international said. “It’s a chance to play football and to help the team climb back up the table. “If you don’t challenge yourself then you just plod along in life.”

Former international Martin Rowlands has joined League One outfit Colchester United until the end of the season after having had the remainder of his deal with QPR paid up earlier in the week.