Colin Healy senses 'big things are happening in Cork' ahead of City's Premier Division return

One thing's for sure. The atmosphere at Turner's Cross is going to be crackling tonight for the first live TV fixture of the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division season on RTÉ2 and RTÉ Player.

Bohemians' fervent fanbase will travel in numbers and if the evidence of last year's First Division is anything to go by, Cork City's supporters will descend on their home ground in their droves as the club returns to the big time after two years away.

That backing is something Cork's manager Colin Healy and his young squad will be counting on across 2023.

"I know what the club's about. I've seen it before so it's not new to me," he told RTÉ Sport of the raucous home support as the 2023 season was launched at Dublin's City Hall.

"It was probably new to the players. They mightn't have seen that but you keep telling them if you go and perform, the crowds will come in and they did it. They did it last year and the crowds did come in so it was brilliant and hopefully we get more of that again this year."

We need your consent to load this YouTube content We use YouTube to manage extra content that can set cookies on your device and collect data about your activity. Please review their details and accept them to load the content. Manage Preferences

The outpouring of joy was palpable among the 6,000-plus fans as well as staff and players last October as Cork City secured automatic promotion to the top flight with games to spare.

It was a largely young squad which carried the day and the main challenge will be to try and consolidate their place in the division.

Beyond the fanbase, there is extra backing from Kildare-based businessman Dermot Usher who completed his takeover of the club from supporters' trust members FORAS late last year.

"Obv