Clancy stresses importance of City's defensive core

Cork City's defensive rearguard have set the foundation for their good start to the season.

SOLIDITY: Cork City manager Tim Clancy after the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match between Treaty United and Cork City. Pic: Michael P Ryan, Sportsfile

Thu, 28 Mar, 2024 - 10:18

Shane Donovan

Cork City's statistics this season read as such. Games played: six; Wins: four; Draws: two; Defeats: zero; Goals scored: eight; Goals conceded: 1; Clean sheets: five.

The above stats have guided City into an early three-point lead at the First Division summit heading into Friday night's assignment against Athlone Town at Turner's Cross.

The standout stat is those five clean sheets that have been kept by an almost ever-present rearguard - including goalkeeper Brad Wade.

It's an aspect of their play boss Tim Clancy is eager to keep throughout the season.

"It's been really pleasing for the lads to keep the clean sheets," Clancy told the Irish Examiner. "I think, after last season, and the manner in which the season went, there might have been a bit of nervousness around the team.

"To show how solid they've been and consistently good in their defending, that's probably eased a lot of nerves at home games."

The impact of those regular defensive members all being from Cork hasn't been lost on Clancy.

Of the contingent - not limited to the defensive ranks - that were present for the relegation from the top-flight in 2023, the hurt was clear and the motivation to get back to competing at the highest level made them certainties for City involvement this term.

Cork City captain Cian Coleman. Pic: Syl Healy.

"The fact that Harry [Nevin], Cian [Coleman], Charlie [Lyons] and John [O'Donovan] are all Cork lads as well, it does help because they know exactly what it means to play for the club.

"When I got the job in the off-season, I spoke to people that were in the dressing room last year," Clancy said. "They were the ones that we re-signed because they wanted to be here and they were hurting the most when the club got relegated.

"They were the ones that wanted to get the club back to where we think we should be, which is the top table of football in this country."

Injuries have robbed Clancy and City of some more experienced players at the opposite end of the pitch since the start of the campaign.

However, the sight of the two Cians - Murphy and Bargary - getting minutes against Treaty United last week, coupled with the inclusion of long-term absentee Darragh Crowley in the squad last Friday will give Clancy more options going forward.

That trio, along with Barry Coffey, while still tender in their years themselves, have league-winning experience at this level from the 2022 triumph.

"You look at Bagsy [Cian Bargary] and Murph [Cian Murphy], Darragh Crowley and Barry Coffey as well - who's only back from suspension, they've got a lot of experience.

"They bring that little bit more maturity, experience and know-how of how to get through games, especially in this division, where they've had success and have the memories of winning the league a couple of years ago in 2022."

On Crowley, in particular, who has been out with anterior cruciate ligament for the better part of the year, Clancy said the final hurdle of his recovery will be getting minutes under his belt.

"We're trying to get minutes into his legs... he has been given the green light to return to play.

"Fitness-wise and athletically, the way he's moving, he's right there, he's ready to go. We'll try get him into a few behind-closed-doors games, but no, he's very, very close."