Clancy hails Troost ability after Rovers rout, admits to striker search

City’s third defeat on the spin was the most emphatic in their return to the Premier Division.

Tue, 15 Apr, 2025 - 10:30

John Fallon

Tim Clancy believes Cork City could have shipped a double-figure drubbing against Shamrock Rovers without their Dutch goalkeeper and admits he might have to risk recruiting a free agent to cure his striker crisis.

City’s third defeat on the spin was the most emphatic in their return to the Premier Division, with the Hoops worthy of their four goals at Tallaght on Monday before Darragh Crowley plundered a late response to leave it 4-1.

Clancy’s criticism of his defence that began after the 2-1 defeat to Derry City last Friday week continued in Monday's post-mortem, raising the prospect of personnel changes if the problem persists.

City’s challenge is remaining competitive until the window opens for transfers in the summer.

Currently second bottom on seven points after the first set of series, they face those around them next in Bohemians on Friday, Waterford next Monday and Sligo Rovers six days later.

With Seáni Maguire not due to resume training until the end of April, and fellow striker Ruairi Keating ruled out for the season, the Rebels have no recognised striker in their squad.

It showed in Monday’s mismatch as the lack of attacking outlet led to continuous waves of Rovers attacks that ultimately forced mistakes for two goals in the final 10 minutes of the half.

“I felt sorry for TT,” the manager said about his stopper Tein Troost, who produced a string of saves to keep the losing margin to three.

“I thought he was superb against Rovers. It probably would have been double figures without him.

“When you look at the goals, it’s like everyone is looking for someone else to do the work and that needs to change and change sharpish.

“We played stupid balls into areas where players are under pressure. It’s so avoidable. It’s only really a mistake if it happens once but if it starts happening over and over again then it’s bad habits. If they are not corrected, players won’t play.”

Clancy recruited eight players in the off-season to bolster depth and quality for the top-flight return. He’d like to hear more from them.

“It’s more highlighted in recent weeks because the attacking threat isn’t as prominent with players missing in that area of the pitch,” he said about the unavailability of Maguire, Keating as well as veteran midfielder Greg Bolger.

“I thought we were excellent against Pat’s for long periods of the game but we conceded two goals in three minutes and the game is over.

“I’m looking at Galway and Drogheda. I would say we’ve got players in our squad that are as good as them but their desire to clear every ball that goes into the box - it’s like the end of the world if they don’t win it - and the same in the opposition box.

“If we don’t see an upturn in that over the next couple of months, we’ll get players in who will do it.”

Trying to address the striker shortage sounds to be equally elusive, yet not for the lack of endeavour.

"In England, the rules are different to practically everywhere else in Europe,” he explained about the transfer market.

“There’s a massive non-league system that players over there can go and play on a non-contract basis to keep themselves fit and then they can sign for a league club over there at any stage.

“We can’t sign them, even on a non-contract, because we can’t sign amateurs outside of the transfer window.

“It must be unattached professionals which means you are looking at somebody who has been free since January, which in turn limits it to the available options.

“As well as that player not kicking a ball since January, the reason they’ve left in January is because they weren’t kicking a ball before then anyway.

“You are looking at someone who hasn’t played in six months and is going to be nowhere near fit. It’s a tricky one.

“Yes, we are actively looking. We might have to take a chance but it’s difficult to get someone at this stage.”