TIM CLANCY hailed Seani Maguire as the best player in the country after his goal and assist helped Cork City past Bohemians.
Maguire, 30, led the line with Ruairí Keating — who completed City’s 2-1 victory — and dropped deep to help in midfield.
City gaffer Clancy said: “Seani has come back with a lot left in the tank.
“He said he didn’t want to come back when he was on his last legs and not be able to contribute.
“Is there a better player in the country than Seani? I don’t think so. Maybe Cathal O’Sullivan!”
Maguire returned to the Turner’s Cross outfit midway through last season after a lengthy spell in England with Preston, Coventry and Carlisle.
Clancy added: “Seani has a lot of experience. You can see the physicality of the Championship from the seven years he spent over there.
“He uses his body unbelievably well and he’s still got the knack for goals.
“Another pleasing thing for us was that Keats and Seani scored. That’s why we brought them here.”
Without injured whizkid O’Sullivan, boss Clancy rejigged City’s 4-4-2 into a midfield diamond.
But after half an hour of Bohs setting the tempo, they binned that plan with Sean Murray shuffling to a wide berth.
And the Rebel Army chief said fans can expect to see more changes against Munster rivals Waterford tomorrow night.
Clancy explained: “There’s going to be multiple different formations this season. There’ll be different team selections.
“I can guarantee the team won’t be the same on Monday. That’s what you have a squad for.”
City are unbeaten after two home matches against Bohs and Galway United — while they also hold a game in hand from their postponed trip to Shamrock Rovers.
Clancy stressed: “You want to get your first win but especially when you’re a promoted team.
“We don’t want the hard luck story of, ‘Oh, we did really well today and lost 1-0 or lost 2-1’.
“The fact that we’ve gone in now and we’ve got the first win — it follows up a brilliant point against Galway.
“Galway have gone three games unbeaten and have five points from their three games, with two of them away from home.
“It probably makes the point against Galway look even better with how well they’ve started.
“It gives us a platform now to try and build on.”