Versatile Kitt Nelson loving loan life with Cork City

Nelson was playing with the U21s at Preston North End, now he's playing in front of crowds at Turner's Cross. 

Kitt Nelson, on loan at Cork City from Preston North End, scored a dramatic injury time winner for the League of Ireland side against Waterford on Monday. Pic: Seb Daly/Sportsfile

Kitt Nelson has gone from idolising Seáni Maguire at Preston North End to deputising for him at Cork City.

Nine years separates the pair in age.

When Nelson was emerging through the ranks at the English Championship club, Maguire was the first-teamer he looked up to.

Preston’s deep historical connections to Cork City have reunited the pair for the club’s return to the Premier Division.

Maguire has been sidelined since the second game of the season against Waterford, creating gaps for fringe players to fill.

Versatile attacker Nelson stepped in to start eight games in a row but it was Monday’s winner as a late substitute, also against Waterford, which delivered an epic Easter rising for City’s fans.

The 20-year-old, loaned from Preston after being granted a three-and-a-half-year contract extension, found the top corner of the goal at the Shed End in stoppage time to complete the 2-1 comeback victory.

Their first win in nine lifts City off the foot of the table and they travel to the basement side, Sligo Rovers, next on Saturday.

Maguire’s recovery from hamstring troubles will extend into May, meaning the likes of Nelson will be depended on to sustain the attacking responsibilities during this upcoming congested period of three games in eight days.

“When I was a scholar at Preston, I trained with Seáni a few times,” recalls the English-born loanee.

“I always remember him as one of the nicest guys. You're always watching players in your position, so I used to watch every first-team game.

“I definitely learned a thing or two off Seáni when I was coming through.” 

Nelson was an unused substitute in four of Preston’s Championship games before they opted to beef him up with first-team exposure in the League of Ireland. His teammate Kian Best is operating off the same plan at Bohemians.

“We have a group chat between the loan lads, so I got a message on my phone after Monday’s game saying: ‘well done for scoring the winner’.

“Preston are really happy with how the loan is going. The clubs have a really good relationship so it's been a perfect move for me.

"I’m always getting feedback on how I'm doing and things I can get better at.” 

He’s certainly learning on the job about being a frontman. Goals against Sligo Rovers and Derry City were scored before Monday’s latest contribution.

“I’ve played up front a little bit, but mainly in a partnership,” he explained about the tasks set by Rebels boss Tim Clancy to cure their striker crisis.

“Up front by yourself is different, especially because I’m not the biggest. But I like to think I can score goals so that's all I'm thinking about when I'm playing as a striker.

“I’m predominantly a midfielder but have played a lot of positions. I was playing right-back before I came here and as a holding midfielder but I'd say my favourite role is as No 10.” 

That’s where he’s likely to be deployed at the Showgrounds given the emergency capture of Djanairo Daniels in time to make his debut against Waterford.

“The way we won on Monday shows that our luck is changing a bit,” he reasons.

“I feel like in some games this season, things have gone against us, but we kept pushing and from scoring two late goals can really build on it.

“This move has been really good for me because I was only playing U21s at Preston.

“Now I’m playing in front of crowds like Turner’s Cross, in games that mean a lot.”