Alan Bennett is convinced Cork City will climb the table and paint a respectable picture for the year ahead after a trying week.
While reeling from manager John Caulfield’s exit on Wednesday, the wounded Rebels snatched a precious 1-0 win away to high-flying Bohs on Friday.
Bennett is the club’s new interim assistant to caretaker John Cotter, who was previously Caulfield’s right hand-man.
Colin Healy was also added to the coaching ticket while mainstays Lisa Fallon and Liam Kearney remain in situ as coaches.
Rebels stalwart and City club captain Bennett is likely to quit playing as a result of his new role, but won’t make a final call on that until later this week.
“It’s been the most difficult week I’ve had probably since 2011 when I got released for the second time in England,” said Bennett.
“The initial news (of Caulfield leaving) and then the questions and the turmoil and not knowing. And the timing was tough.
“You don’t sleep much Wednesday night and then you get together as quick as you can on Thursday morning.
“Then you don’t sleep much Thursday night and, before you know it, you’re up in Dalymount and the game’s kicking off. It’s been a bit mad.
“My wife woke me up on Wednesday morning and said that John was gone. She said my face looked like I was about to start crying.
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“It was just nuts and I haven’t really had the time to formulate the whole thing in my mind yet.
“I’ve been rattling my mind the last few days trying to adequately sum up the man (Caulfield). My respect went up for him so much over the past few weeks.
“The way he dealt with the pressure and the negativity that was coming towards him. My respect was high enough for him as was but it went through the roof then.
“I think about the times he gave me in my career and I’m failing for words, I really am, because I can’t thank him enough.
“He was the best manager I ever played under. And the best person that I played under. He really was.”
Friday’s win at Dalymount had all the hallmarks of a Caulfield performance - a fact acknowledged by Aaron Barry in a post match chat with Bennett at Dalymount.
Barry is on loan at Bohs from City and Bennett explained: “Aaron said: ‘that was a John performance’. And it was.
“We know that and we know there’s loads more to come from this team. The players are eager for that development in themselves, every single one of them.
“That’s how I’ll approach all this in terms of being a coach. It’s what I’d have wanted as a player
“Winning on Friday was a good start and gives us the chance to build on the values, behaviours and passion that the club has.”
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