Housing costs 'an issue' for Cork City when it comes to more experienced players

Finding accommodation for more experienced players, ones with families, was a new obstacle which Cork City manager Tim Clancy experienced during the off-season.

BLOCKING OUT THE NOISE: Cork City manager Tim Clancy says he doesn't "listen to criticism from people I'd never ask advice from". Pic: Stephen McCarthy/Sportsfile

Stability is the name of the game for Tim Clancy as he aims to ensure Cork City don’t descend into a yo-yo club.

Turner’s Cross will be close to its 7,485 capacity on Friday night when the Rebels return to the Premier Division by hosting Galway United and welcoming their manager John Caulfield back to his alma mater.

Two years ago a similar buzz engulfed the club when they kicked off at home against Bohemians but an early relegation battle didn’t relent and they eventually dropped back down to the First Division through the playoffs.

Lessons have been learnt, particularly by Dermot Usher whose ownership stint began then, but Clancy is cautioning against any grandiose notions at a time the top-flight is awash with well-paid players.

Although the Irish window remains open until February 22, he’s no plans to make additions.

“We’re only up from the First Division and must ensure we’re in a stable position before we can start spending what others do,” said the man who’d previously managed Drogheda United and St Patrick’s Athletic in the Premier Division.

“Nine players left the building since promotion and eight have come in so our numbers are around the same.

“I think we're done now. Where we are at the minute, touch wood, we're in a good place and we're quite happy we've got a good squad.” 

During last season’s summer window, Clancy was outspoken on wage inflation among personnel targets. Housing players, specifically those with families, was the fresh obstacle he encountered during the off-season.

“It is an issue,” he said about the cost of accommodation. Jon Daly, when manager of St Patrick’s Athletic, spoke last year about being pigeon-holed into going for single, young players that don't have kids or wives.

“That is sort of what you're looking at. That has its benefits because you get a squad that's young and eager and using your club as a springboard for their career.

“But it you're specifically looking for experience, that normally comes with a family and maybe single accommodation. With the price of stuff, it can be a frustration.” 

His experienced backbone is formed from captain and centre-back Charlie Lyons, through to Seán Murray and Greg Bolger harnessing midfield, through to the strikeforce of Ruairi Keating and Seáni Maguire.

Otherwise, there’s a youthfulness throughout. That lack of experience can tell when the pressure comes on, as is inevitable when results dip, yet Clancy is urging the likes of Cathal O’Sullivan, Freddie Anderson and Kitt Nelson to ignore the racket – good and bad.

“I say it, especially to the young lads, you're never as good as people tell you or you're never as bad as they tell you,” explained the 40-year-old, who featured in England, Scotland and Ireland during his playing days.

“If reading comments saying you're brilliant gets you going, and you really enjoy that, I'd say that's going to affect you massively when they tell you you're crap as well.

“From my own personal point of view, I don't listen to criticism from people I'd never ask advice from.

“If people want to make noise and shout and scream, it doesn't affect me because unless I've asked someone for advice, I can't let the criticism get to me either.

“It's part of society. You go on Twitter (X) now and there's millions of politicians on there saying how the country should be run, what laws should be brought in.

“You've people sitting on the couch at home telling Anthony Joshua what he's doing wrong in boxing. Formula 1 drivers; he should have gone faster around that corner. The person mightn't even have a driving licence.

“That's football and life. A manager leaves his job and all of a sudden, 10 minutes later, the people that are slating you are wishing you the best of luck in the next job. It's not reality. It's not real and driven by social media. It's reactionary and will magnify over the next lot of years.” 

Clancy does know the reality is the real tests start on Friday against Galway United. Winning the First Division at a canter is immaterial to 2025.

“When you're at a football club the size of Cork City, the expectation is to win games,” he notes.

“Football is a results-based business. Everything could be absolutely perfect, the academy and women’s team winning every single game, but if the men's first-team on a Friday are losing, that's the only thing that affects my job.

“If you can't take that pressure or criticism, leave the job and go elsewhere and get another job.”