In only the second round of games in the Irish Premier League season, newly Promoted Cork City FC got their first 3 points on the board with a 4-0 victory at home to UCD. Cork were the stronger side throughout and showed the most quality, with UCD gifting the home side chances at goal after mistakes in their own third, having their keeper, Lorcan Healy to thank for making some excellent 1v1 saves to save them from a bigger defeat. Although he had no chance in what could potential be a goal of the season contender already, after Cork City’s Matthew Healy struck from over 30 yards to open the scoring in the highlight of the match.
Ratings:
- A1 – Very good, could play higher
- A2 – Strong potential to play higher
- B1 – Good, strong player at level
- B2 – Potential to be a strong player at level
- C – Average for the level, rewatch
- D – Below average in this match
Matthew Healy
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Irish
- Age: 20
- Date of birth: 12/04/2002
- Club: Cork City FC (On loan from Ipswich Town)
- Career: College Corinthians AFC (Y), Ipswich Town, Cork City FC (Loan)
- Position: Central Midfielder
- Preferred foot: Right
Matthew Healy played as a central midfielder as Cork played a 4231. And overall looked very strong in a match in which he scored a goal of the season contender and made an assist.
He showed a good technical game, a few unbalanced crosses in the first half aside, he was neat and tidy in the build-up, looking comfortable under pressure with shorter passes. But really shone with his longer passing, having great vision to pick out runners and using his tall frame to generate effortless power when switching the ball. He further showed this range of passing with his delivery from set pieces, and was unlucky not to get another assist after a fine corner in the first half. He then surprised with his assist in the second half, with an excellent cross which looked a bit of a weakness early on in the game, but this time with his weaker left foot, after starting the move by winning the ball back in midfield, in a real highlight of what type of player he could be.
Healy’s movement was very sharp, physically he covered ground very well. But he was clever in how he tried to create space for himself when trying to receive from throw ins, with quick changes of direction to fool his marker. He had the awareness to pass and move to receive the return, as well as looking confident running into wider areas when the space was there, whilst occasionally getting into positions outside the box for cut backs.
Throughout, Healy had a real mature understanding of his midfield role for somebody so young, he marked his man well, tracking midfield players that tried to get into channels when the fullbacks had moved forward and often shut of passing lanes inside. Although occasionally he was guilty of pushing out to press and leaving a gap in the midfield space behind, but this was rare as he showed a real knack of sweeping up, winning his tackle or intercepting a loose ball.
Rating- A1
Healy showed real promise and shone for Cork City FC; his game had multiple strengths. His positional play defensively was strong and he showed that he could support the midfield from deeper areas with his movement into space. He had the vision to pick out runners and his technique generated the power for not just accurate passing but strong long range finishing. If he continues to improve then there’s not much stopping him playing at a higher level than the Irish Premier Division.
Barry Coffey
Player Profile:
- Nationality: Irish
- Age: 22
- Date of birth: 27/03/2001
- Club: Cork City FC
- Career: Celtic U17’s, Celtic B, Cliftonville (L) Cork City FC (L)
- Position: Attacking midfielder
- Secondary Position: Central midfielder
- Preferred foot: Right
Barry Coffey played as the attacking midfielder in Cork City FC’s 4231 formation, he used his smaller frame and close ball control to turn away from danger, although sometimes found it difficult to protect the ball against more physical players when his back was to goal.
Comfortable with his short and longer passes, his main strength was his awareness of space, this combined with good acceleration made him a dangerous option as he often looked to become nearly a second striker. He would dart into positions inside the box, and showed how clever his movement was, by slowing down his run and changing direction for a cut back on the edge of the box as the defence dropped ahead of him a number of times, as well as trying to beat the defensive line from deeper areas, and was unlucky a tight offside call ruled out a goal in the first half.
As well as running in behind, Coffey looked to drop into the space behind the midfield, trying to link the play and keep the ball moving. He pressed well, using his acceleration again to quickly close down the man, and tried to cover a more dangerous pass inside with his positioning, and looked comfortable dropping deeper into the midfield.
Coffey continued to show how clever a player he was when anticipating second balls, he always looked to anticipate where the ball would land, keeping possession for his side and had a real confidence about him in how he kept his composure when under pressure, usually trying to play a pass rather than clear the ball from danger.
Unfortunately a smaller frame made it difficult for Coffey to compete in Aerial Duels, he sometimes struggled against a more physical challenge when he couldn’t turn or pass away from an opponent as well.
Rating – B1
Coffey overall looked a very clever player, really exploiting the space left by the opposition both in front of and behind the defence, combined with his acceleration and overall good levels of technique he was a real asset for Cork City and will no doubt get into positions to score goals. It would be interesting to see how he fares against a side not leaving much space, where he may have to receive with his back to the goal a little more often which seemed to be a bit of a weakness in this game. If he can improve on how he deals with physicality and tidies up a few loose first touches he could be a very dangerous player.
Target Scouting 
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