Roy targets regular Sunderland role
by Niamh O'Mahony, 23 July 2008
Sunderland striker Roy O'Donovan is looking forward to returning to his old Turner’s Cross hunting ground on Monday, this time in the red and white of The Black Cats.
O'Donovan joined Roy Keane's revolution from Cork City last summer and is hoping that a good performance against the local rivals of his former club will help his target of more first-team appearances in the coming season.
"I want to be fit, fresh and sharp for the kick-off to the new season," O'Donovan told Cork's Evening Echo. "Hopefully it's going to be a big year for me.
"I need to get established this season and nail down a place. I want to improve on last year and get a few more starts.
"I am a year older and I suppose the expectations are that bit higher. It won't be for lack of effort because I am working really hard."
O'Donovan concluded: "Roy Keane has been very fair with me and I appreciated all he has done for me. I am looking forward to catching up with some of old buddies [in Cork]. The games are a vital part of our pre-season and I want to do well and impress the gaffer."