O'Callaghan leaves Cork City

George O'Callaghan was his way out of Cork City last night with First Division promotion contenders Limerick on the verge of signing the midfielder on a loan deal despite late interest from Waterford United.

Contacts between the clubs continued on a hectic day after Cork confirmed in the morning that they had transfer listed the midfielder at his request.

Speaking to Irish journalists in Belgrade, where City are preparing for tomorrow night's Champions League encounter with Red Star, manager Damien Richardson said the club had decided it had no option but to make the 26-year-old available after a month or so during which the player has, he said, declined requests either to train or play.

O'Callaghan has maintained privately that he is aware of interest from three Czech clubs in acquiring his services, with Slavia Prague, he claims, having expressed a willingness to pay a €50,000 transfer fee. Last night, however, club chairman Brian Lennox insisted Cork has received no bids from outside the jurisdiction.

At the start of this season Drogheda United boss Paul Doolin tried to sign the midfielder, while St Patrick's Athletic and Southend United were said to have been on the verge of making offers. None of his potential suitors, however, is likely to have been encouraged by the manner in which O'Callaghan has fallen out with his employers.

The difficulties came to a head in the wake of the league game against Bohemians which City drew, after O'Callaghan was sent off. Richardson subsequently criticised the player and said he would fine him two weeks wages for his behaviour which, he claimed, had cost the club two points.

As it happens, the fine, says Richardson, was never imposed, but the incident soured an already difficult relationship, and when the pair subsequently clashed on the training pitch O'Callaghan reportedly told his manager that he wanted out.

The former Shelbourne and Shamrock Rovers boss apparently replied that he (the player) knew where the gate was and the Corkman promptly left.

His behaviour since has caused considerable concern within the club, but an attempt to patch things up last week came to nothing when O'Callaghan is said to have told Richardson in rather forceful terms that he would not play for him again.

With the transfer window closing at midnight last night, however, he does not appear to have been overburdened with alternatives, and Limerick, where former City boss Pat Dolan retains some influence, appeared to be in a strong position.

Waterford United, meanwhile, have confirmed that they have signed Alan Reilly from St Patrick's Athletic.