Johnny Dunleavy makes Cork City return from long injury lay-off

Johnny Dunleavy finally made his return to action for Cork City last night.

The Ballybofey, who had been out for a year with a cruciate knee ligament injury, came on as a 68th minute substitute for Cork in their friendly with Portsmouth at Turners Cross.

Portsmouth won the game 4-1, but the appearance of Dunleavy will have heartened Cork supporters.

Former Wolves player Dunleavy has had an injury-hit time at Cork, but John Caulfield has stuck by the popular defender, who he named as his captain.

Dunleavy has been out for over a year having suffered an ACL rupture in a game against Limerick last June.

Dunleavy sat out the latter part of the 2017 season, when Cork went on to win the League and FAI Cup double, but the Leesiders awarded him a new contract in December.

And there he is! @Johnny_Dunleavy back on the field in Cork City colours for the first time in over a year. Welcome back, Johnny! pic.twitter.com/4TTwZq2fps

— Cork's RedFM Sport (@BigRedBench) July 2, 2018