Colin Healy has given an update on the status of stricken midfielder Aaron Bolger - and the Cork City boss has also backed his side to thrive in the Premier Division after Monday’s eight-goal thriller against Shamrock Rovers.
Bolger was taken to hospital after a sickening clash of heads with Trevor Clarke late in the 4-4 draw at Tallaght Stadium.
Healy was relieved to post a positive update on the youngster, saying: “They've taken him to hospital, he seems to be okay but he was shook looking.
“It was a nasty bang, a clash of heads. He will go for further checks.
“I could see straight away when he went down and wasn't moving, our doctor and their doctor ran on straight away.
“They sorted it out which was great, the most important thing is that he's okay.”
As for the action on Monday night, Cork were minutes away from a famous win, only to concede in the seventh minute of injury-time.
They fell behind to Rovers early on, but went in 2-1 up at half-time - thanks to Darragh Crowley’s sensational 40-yard effort.
And they were 4-2 up with six minutes of normal time remaining.
While frustrated not to get all three points, the performance assured City boss Healy of his young side’s ability to go toe-to-toe with the best in the Premier Division this season.
He said: “Are we ready for this league? What do you think? Of what you saw tonight, are we ready? Absolutely we are.”
He added: “We weren’t at it in the first half of the first game against Bohemians (1-2) but got better in the second half.
“Derry away (0-2) is always tough but we had chances and didn’t take them.
“I thought we were very good against UCD (4-0) and could have got more goals. Against Shamrock Rovers, I felt we should have won.
“As it’s gone on, the players have got stronger and probably believed in themselves a bit more.
“We’ve a good dressing-room. It’s a tight dressing room which is important.”
He paid tribute to two-goal scorer Crowley, whose first on 38 minutes fired the Leesiders into the lead.
Controlling an Alan Mannus clearance, he sent the ball over the Rovers goalkeeper’s head and under the crossbar from 40 yards.
“Brilliant, wasn't it? I keep saying... he has been brilliant for us, Darragh Crowley,” said Healy.
“He’s another young boy coming through the academy. He played in the middle of the park on Monday, played right back last week, he’s one of those players who just goes in, does his job and gets on with it.
“He was the best player on the pitch.”
