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Page last updated at 17:22 GMT, Wednesday, 5 August 2009 18:22 UK

Behan influenced by Pools style

Denis Behan
Behan joined Pools for an undisclosed fee from Cork

Hartlepool United striker Denis Behan has revealed the club's style of football was a key factor in his choosing to sign this season.

Behan, 25, swapped Cork City and European football for League One at Victoria Park, and believes it was the right decision professionally.

"We do the hard work, get the ball down and then play it," he told BBC Tees.

"It suits my style of play really that we can play long, or play short and we've some great players in midfield."

Behan scored 35 times during his seven seasons at Cork, and enjoyed a wealth of experience in his spell in the League of Ireland and in European competitions.

And the Irish under-23 international hopes to pass on that experience to the younger members of the squad.

"I was at Cork for six or seven years, but talking to Chris [Turner] and the boys at the club they convinced me it was a good move," he said.

"We finished every year in the first, second or third positions and played in the Uefa Cup and Champions League.

"We got some good results - we beat Malmo, we beat Nijmegen and just lost out to Nantes - we got experience of playing in places like Red Star Belgrade where the fans are hostile and on top of the game.

"It gives you a good grounding and hopefully I can pass that experience onto the lads here and develop their game."



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see also
Cork players free to leave club
29 Jul 09 |  Irish
Hartlepool complete Behan signing
20 Jul 09 |  Hartlepool


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