Tim Clancy: There isn't a bigger club in the country than Cork City

CHAMPIONS: Cork City manager Tim Clancy, centre, and players celebrate after the SSE Airtricity Men's First Division match between UCD and Cork City at UCD Bowl in Belfield, Dublin. Photo by David Fitzgerald/Sportsfile

On an evening with what started with some fans disagreeing over the location of the Rebel Army flags ended in pure unbridled joy as Cork City wrapped up the First Division title with an excellent away performance at closest rivals UCD - with six games to spare and an unattainable 19-point margin.

And a delighted Tim Clancy, who celebrated a new two-year deal at the club on the eve of kick-off, was keen to stress that the tag of heavy favorites to bounce straight back up to the top flight came with some expectation.

"The goal at the start of the season, when I got the job, was to take this club back to the Premier Division." said the former St. Patrick's Athletic boss.

"They had a difficult season last season in the Premier Division for multiple reasons but there wasn’t a great feel about the place, so the first thing was to try and get a bit of positivity in.

"Being the only full-time team in the First Division and the biggest budget as well, brought expectation that we had to do what we probably did this season which was win the league with comfort and to have a bit of a gap.

"To win the league with 6 games left and have a 19-point gap is an exceptional season of consistency and professionalism from all the players."

City were in almost unstoppable form this season, winning 20 games, drawing nine and losing just the once following the big win at the UCD Bowl.

The Leesiders boss was keen to highlight the togetherness of the group and harmony around the club as they look to harness the momentum ahead of their return to the top table in Irish football and hoping to steal a march on their competition.

Cork City manager Tim Clancy watches the game from the stand. Pic: ©INPHO/Morgan Treacy

"I don’t think you can stand here and say there is a bigger club in the country than Cork City, it’s a massive, massive club so the circumstances I came into the job might have been slightly negative but to get the opportunity to manage the club is an honor.

"We just want to work as hard as we can and prepare the players as best we can and ensure every time they step out onto the pitch that the fans can at least say when they go home that the players left everything on the pitch and I think practically every game this season that’s been the case.

"The upward trajectory will bring positivity and momentum into the off season and gives us an opportunity to get ahead of the curve with a few months to spare and hopefully have a good off season.

"We know that next season in the Premier Division is going to be an extremely competitive league and we want to be slap bang in the middle of that as well and compete too."

Malik Dijksteel's second half winner sparked wild celebrations amongst the boisterous travelling support at full time as they flooded the pitch to celebrate with their heroes who will no doubt continue on into the night, but it sounds like the celebrations between players and fans alike will be the polar opposite to the City boss.

"Well I have four kids and the wife, so my celebrations will be at home having a quiet weekend with them," he added.

"But the players will have a good blowout this weekend because they deserve it. They've been exceptional, dedicated and professional this year, so let them go and enjoy it!"