Greg Bolger: Decisions still have to be made whether I retire or not but I feel good

When pressed on his own future, Bolger remained coy on the situation, joking: "I hear a lot about these multi-year deals? I won't be getting one of them for sure!

Sat, 07 Sep, 2024 - 14:31

Darryl Geraghty

There's a famous saying; "With great power comes great responsibility".

But in Greg Bolger's case, it is more a case of with great experience comes even greater responsibility as the midfield stalwart was tasked with helping to guide Cork City back to where they feel they belong.

And with six games remaining the First Division title was bagged as Bolger starred against his former club in a hard fought 1-0 win at the UCD Bowl on Friday.

As honest as ever, the now 35-year-old explained; "It hasn't been easy to be fair," said Bolger.

"From the inside we've almost had a target on our back with everyone wanting to beat us, with us being the only full-time professional team in the league, highest budget etc. and no point in hiding that fact either.

"As the manager has been saying, the aim at the start of the year was to go up, and we've done it with six games to go so obviously the club is buzzing and we’re in a great position going forward into the Premier Division.

"I think we’ve done it well too, to be fair, with the best goal difference and defensive record but we knew that would be a tough game against UCD, they always are a tough team to play against but the main aim was to win and get the job done. That was pretty much all the team talk before the game."

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

Being one of the elder statesmen in the dressing room, the Wexford native continued to explain just what kind of insight a player, who has made over 400 appearances in the League of Ireland, can offer.

"No it’s not easy to manage that expectation no matter how experienced you are, but you’ve got to embrace it," he added.

"When you’re playing for this massive club, regardless of what division you’re in, and I've said this to the younger players too, is that you’ve got to embrace the pressure because it's a privileged position in which a lot of players would love to be in.

"I’ve been lucky enough to be at some of the biggest clubs in the country and trust me, this club is right up there!"

When pressed on his own future, Bolger remained coy on the situation, joking: "I hear a lot about these multi-year deals? I won't be getting one of them for sure!

"But I'm having conversations with the club at the minute but it's just a case of seeing where we are at the end of the season. I’m 36 on Monday and I think I've only missed three games all season so I still feel good but decisions still have to be made whether I retire or not and ask the question of myself 'Will i still contribute in the dressing room or on the pitch in the Premier division?'

"We’ll see but obviously with Tim (Clancy) signing a new 2-year deal the club is in a great place and will be looking to stay up next year.

"But when you look at the league this year everyone is beating everyone so if you get the right people in the door it doesn't take too much to get a winning team, winning mentality and getting enough points to be safe and see where it takes us."

The fact he still refers to the club as "us" going forward will give some hints or hope to the Rebel Army that their midfield general may continue, as their adventure back into the top flight under Clancy's tutelage comes at them fast.