Tim Clancy: Cork City aren't getting the credit we deserve

City’s record this campaign could hardly be any better approaching the midway point having won 11 and drawn five of their 16 games.

Wed, 22 May, 2024 - 16:38

Andrew Horgan

Cork City manager Tim Clancy believes his side deserve more credit for their unbeaten start to the First Division season which currently sees them sit ten points clear at the top of the table.

City’s record this campaign could hardly be any better approaching the midway point having won 11 and drawn five of their 16 games so far, which sees them comfortably ahead of second place UCD in the race for the title and the only automatic promotion place.

To put the Leesiders unbeaten start into context, Wexford have lost the second fewest number of matches in the division this season with three while the two clubs sitting second and third in the standings have both lost four.

But to put the Rebel Army’s relentless march towards another second-tier title and a swift return to the Premier Division into even more context, they are the only full-time club in the First Division.

Nonetheless, Clancy insists that his team, who were criticised for their slight struggles on the road earlier this year – they drew four of their opening five away clashes – should be recognized for their form of late – they have now won their last five away fixtures in a row.

“There’s been no signs or thoughts of complacency since the second I’ve been here,” enthused Clancy ahead of facing Munster rivals Treaty United on Friday night at Turner’s Cross.

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“There’s a lot of noise from outside the club about complacency and about us just having to turn up to win games.

“It’s not the case at all. I think it’s a bit disrespectful to the opposition and I also think it’s disrespectful to our players as well we win games and people say, ‘ah you were expected to win games.’

“I don’t think we are getting enough credit that we deserve for going out and winning. The first round of games we were criticised for our ‘inability to win away games’ was the phrase that was used in the press.

“We are after winning five in a row there now and it’s like we’re now expected to just go and win every game.

“It’s not the case, it’s difficult to win games of football in any league and at the minute we are doing that quite well.” Elsewhere at Cork City and Eva Mangan has earned a first call-up to the Ireland women's national team for the European Championship qualifier with Sweden in Stockholm on June 4th.

The 19-year-old midfielder, who captains Danny Murphy's side, has impressed this season for City, who sit fifth in the table, a much-improved showing on recent seasons.