Football: Come and get me says Kevin

CORK boss Pat Dolan's ears are sure to prick up when he hears what his former Irish team-mate Kevin Nugent has to say.

The towering striker is on a short-term contract at Third Division strugglers Swansea until the end of the season, but he would jump at the chance to return to Ireland.

Nugent, 34 next month, spent a three-month loan spell at Cork at the start of his career, and the giant striker could end up on Leeside again if Dolan has his way, especially if the Swans are relegated.

Dolan rates Nugent so highly he tried to sign him when he was manager of St Pat's. They go back a long way to the time when they played together on Liam Tuohy's Irish youth team of the '80s.

And Nugent revealed: "The idea of returning to Ireland really appeals to me, and it's not as if I'm some sort of has-been looking to pick up some easy money in Ireland.

"I still feel I have quite a lot to offer. I know Pat was interested in me before. Who knows, maybe he still is."

He added: "If I got the offer, I would be very tempted to pack my bags and go. Admittedly, a lot has changed in the 15 years since I was last in Ireland. More clubs are going full-time, and the standard is getting better and better. But I'm playing as well as ever and I'm 33, not 43, after all. I'm not ready for the knacker's yard just yet!"

Dolan is certain to be interested in the signals Nugent is sending out with John O'Flynn, Cork's top scorer last season with 14 goals, tipped to go back across the water.

Nugent added: "My situation at Swansea is very uncertain. If they go down to the Conference, I am sure there will be wholesale changes. So, if an offer came in from Ireland, I would have to give it serious consideration.

"Gone are the days when players could pick and choose given the current economic climate in football. There are a lot of lads struggling to make ends meet after being released by their clubs. I'm just grateful I'm not one of them."

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