Cork City boss dismisses Raith rumours, explains red card against Longford 

Cork City manager Tim Clancy after his side's victory in the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match against Longford Town at Turner's Cross in Cork. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Tim Clancy has dismissed rumours of a switch to Raith Rovers as “nonsense”.

The Cork City manager has been linked with the post at the Scottish Championship club after previous front-runner David Healy rejected the role.

Clancy is well-regarded in Scotland having spent eight years playing there, while his assistant Jamie Hamill has played and managed in the league across two decades.

After a dramatic 3-2 victory over Longford Town put City one win away from clinching the First Division title, Clancy insisted he had not been in contact with Raith.

“No, I've not spoken to anyone,” he said.

“Obviously, I spent a lot of time in Scotland and my assistant manager spent his whole career in Scotland as well so there's a lot of history with the two of us over there.

“But no, I've had no approach and I've not spoken to anyone.

“I'm at what I think is the biggest club in the country with a job at the start of the season which was to win the league.

“We've got ourselves in a position now where we're one win away from winning the First Division with six games to spare.

“When you look at the league campaign that we've had, I can't fault any players or staff or anything because we've been exceptionally consistent and we've found ways to win games when it's been very difficult.

“We found a way again tonight so it's the sign of a good team.” 

Sean Maguire of Cork City after his side's victory against Longford Town. Photo by Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Clancy had to watch the second half from the Turner’s Cross TV gantry after he was sent off in the tunnel at half-time.

It followed a penalty decision he labelled “very soft” as referee Declan Toland adjudged Darragh Crowley to have pushed Daniel Norris, leaving Longford 2-1 ahead.

“There wasn't a lot said, to be honest. I just wanted to speak to the referee and he refused to speak to me,” said Clancy.

“I probably said something I shouldn't have said but no language or no aggression was shown.

“It was just something was said and he flashed the red card at me. It seemed he was trying to be the centre of attention there.

“I think the penalty is not a penalty. I was going to speak to him about that.

“We looked at the video of it and it was good defending by Darragh. He gets his body goal side.

“There was also another one where Malik (Dijksteel) broke down the right and their player came across and just kicked him. There was no yellow card and he was flashing yellow cards at our lads.

“I thought Declan struggled a little bit out there.” By twice coming from behind to win thanks to a Seani Maguire double, City earned the opportunity to clinch promotion back to the Premier Division next Friday with a win away to UCD.

Clancy hopes it will put the club in a stronger position to build heading into next season.

“With the late change of ownership at the start of the last Premier Division campaign, I think Colin (Healy) was behind the black ball.

“It looks like we can have a little bit better preparation for the Premier Division next season.

“If we can secure the signatures of a lot of the good young players that we have at the club and get a few more experienced players in, we'll find ourselves in a good position next year.”