Striker signing a priority for City boss Clancy

'We have Cian Murphy there and a couple of young lads but we will certainly bring one in,' affirmed Cork City manager Tim Clancy.

Thu, 18 Jan, 2024 - 16:12

John Fallon

Tim Clancy has prioritised the recruitment of a striker as he finalises a Cork City squad to engineer an immediate Premier Division return.

Clancy was appointed by club owner Dermot Usher in late November with the sole task of replicating his feat of 2020 when he led Drogheda United to promotion.

Predictably, City have lost quality from their relegated side – Josh Honohan moving to champions Shamrock Rovers while Ruairi Keating and Aaron Bolger opted for FAI Cup holders St Patrick’s Athletic – forcing the new boss to replenish with talent capable of executing a different mission in 2024.

Jack Doherty and Charlie Lyons have arrived from neighbours Cobh Ramblers, double-winner Greg Bolger is back as the midfield powerhouse, Derry City have allowed Evan McLaughlin join while captain Cian Coleman recently became the most recent mainstay to commit for the promotion push.

With the campaign opener at Turner’s Cross looming on February 16 – a first-ever meeting with Kerry FC – Clancy remains in talks with suitable candidates.

That the Rebel Army are title favourites and possess the largest budget expands their options but striking a deal with the right recruit is the elusive piece.

“We're looking for a centre-forward,” affirmed the former Drogheda United and St Pat’s boss, speaking with two pre-season workouts, against Galway United and Wilton in the Munster Senior Cup, behind him.

“We have Cian Murphy there and a couple of young lads but we will certainly bring one in.

“There’ll be no issue with us scoring goals this season. All of the teams I managed previously in the six years were top scorers or in the top two of in the league. That won’t change this year.

“It’s not just up to the centre-forward to score goals. I know Keats did that last season but as we add players we’ll get goals from different positions. You can’t rely on one player. My teams had goals from all over the pitch and that will be the same.

“So far we have the balance, we have a good few experienced players in. We re-signed Cian Coleman as well and he's a massive part of things.

“There’s some really exciting academy players who are exceptional talents that are going to feature quite a lot this year. We have more players to bring in to strengthen a few positions. We are talking to some but it has to be right for the club and a fit for the dressing room as well.

“We want to get them in as early as we can but we won't rush to get players in for the sake of it.”

City’s status as the only full-time squad in the division confers additional pressure to escape the second tier in quickfire time.

Clancy is fine to be burdened with that pressure, yet insists other promotion rivals will compete for the sole automatic tickets for the 2025 top-flight.

“Our objective is to get the team back into the Premier Division by winning the league,” he stresses.

“Looking around the league, a lot of teams have strengthened. Maybe other clubs have pushed the budget out a bit as they see there's not two full-time teams in the division as there was last year with Galway and Waterford, it will be competitive.

“It won't be easy but it's our ambition to win the league. People will be looking at us, as the full-time team with probably the biggest budget and we are there to be knocked off top spot is what people will be saying. It's up to us to live up to expectations and flourish.”