Conor Davis says he and his team-mates are driven to push Cork City back among the leading clubs in the SSE Airtricity League Premier Division.
After a league title win and two FAI Cup successes between 2016 and 2017, the club's 2019 campaign was less illustrious.
Cork slipped to eighth in the Premier Division in a disappointing campaign which saw them register just nine league victories.
But Davis, who joined the club in January after spending the latter portion of last season at Derry City, is keen to return the club to what he views as their rightful place in the upper echelons of the top flight this coming season.
"Cork have had great success over the years but I think it gives us as players that bit of drive that we really want to bring that success back to Cork," he told RTÉ Sport at the launch of the 2020 SSE Airtricity League season.
"Cork's a club that needs, that deserves to be in the top two or three teams in Ireland.
"So we have that drive to bring it back to those positions."
Davis added that manager Neale Fenn has been putting his stamp on the team as he reshapes the squad.
"He came at the end of last season, so he basically brought in a whole new squad this season and he's been getting his point across in how he wants to play, the style and tactics on and off the ball," he said.
"He's a great manager, great staff up in Cork and they have us working very hard.
"Hopefully come the first game of the season, all this hard work will pay off."
Cork City host Shelbourne in their Premier Division opener on 14 February.
