Trio missing City game is positive, says Clancy

STARBOY: Cathal O'Sullivan of Cork City in action. Pic: Michael P Ryan, Sportsfile

Cork City will be without three of their young stars for the top-of-the-table clash against Treaty United on Friday night but as far as manager Tim Clancy is concerned, it’s for the best of reasons.

Jaden Umeh, Matthew Murray and Cathal O’Sullivan are in Portugal with the Republic of Ireland U-17 squad for the Euro Elite Round Qualifiers as they look to seal their place at the finals in Cyprus this summer.

O’Sullivan’s absence, in particular, could be crucial for City when the league leaders take on their Munster and title rivals at Markets Field, as he has been in excellent form during their unbeaten start to the new season.

The 16-year-old became the youngest-ever goal-scorer for the men's first team when he netted a sensational strike against Bray Wanderers last Friday, which moved City three points clear of second-placed Treaty, whose game against Longford Town was postponed last weekend.

O’Sullivan was the only City starter in Ireland’s 4-1 loss to Portugal on Thursday with Umeh, who only turned 16 on Monday, coming off the bench at half-time. Hoffenheim youngster, formerly of City, Matthew Moore also started while his namesake Murray was an unused sub.

The City contingent will all be hoping for more minutes in the young Boys in Green’s remaining games against Germany on Saturday and Croatia on Tuesday.

They will also be hoping City enhance their title winning credentials with a significant victory in Limerick.

“I don’t think there is anything better than representing your country,” began Clancy.

“For us as a club, to have three of the lads at the Elite Phase of the European Championship U17s shows the brilliant work that Kearns (Liam Kearney) has been doing here for multiple years now.

“Obviously we would love to have the lads here with us but them being away and missing the game for us is a positive because it means they’re representing their country and there’s no better reward in football than doing that.

“I spoke to Collie (Colin O’Brien), the lads were supposed to be away the first week of the season against Kerry, it was outside the international window and I was stressing to Collie how important they were for us.

“Jaden and Cathal didn’t travel for that week, Mattie did but Jaden and Cathal didn’t. They stayed behind so it just shows the impact that both of them have had since the start of the season that they have made the squad now as well.

“It’s great for the three of them to be over representing the 17s. It’s in the international window as well so we expected them to go. I thought they might miss more than one game but they will be back next week.

“Hopefully we get to see them playing well and representing the club well.”