What next for Cork City after Clancy calls time? 

Cork City manager Tim Clancy during his last game in charge against Derry City. Pic: Morgan Tracey, Inpho

An accumulation of factors led to Tim Clancy quitting as Cork City manager within minutes of Friday’s 2-1 defeat to Derry City at Turner’s Cross.

Their seventh loss of the season leaves the Rebels marooned in the relegation playoff spot, eight points adrift of eighth-placed Galway United.

Basement side Sligo Rovers squandered the chance of going level with City by suffering a late reverse at home to Bohemians on Saturday night.

Player-coach Bolger is now expected to take temporary charge for Friday’s trip to St Patrick’s Athletic while the club seek a permanent replacement.

Another backroom team member, Greg Yelverton, possesses the necessary Pro License coaching qualification.

Former Drogheda United and St Patrick’s Athletic boss Clancy was recruited by owner Dermot Usher at the start of last season and accomplished his task of leading the club back to the Premier Division as First Division champions.

This term has been a struggle.

Despite luring Seáni Maguire and Ruairi Keating back to the club during the promotion charge, the strikeforce has been missing for the majority of this season.

Injuries have also kept out key performers Bolger, Cathal O’Sullivan and Malik Dijksteel for various patches.

Clancy has also been operating without an assistant manager since mid-March.

The decision of Jamie Hamill, whom Clancy knew from their time together in Scotland, to return home for personal reasons was understandable but the timing, coming five games into the season, was odd.

A couple of candidates, including former boss Colin Healy, were approached but he’s had to rely on internal staff to fill the gap.

"In fairness, the club were happy for me to get a new assistant and I came very close to appointing one but the offer just wasn’t good enough - which was a frustration,” admitted Clancy to the Echo.

Keeping the ship afloat was a challenge in itself but the manager’s commute from his native Meath was also influencing his outlook. He’s recently established a fitness business in Trim.

"I was at the stage where you are trying your best,” he outlined.

“You are doing the best you can but I’m living three hours away. I’ve got a wife and kids, and I’ve started a new business recently so it was a difficult decision but I think the club needs a new voice to get the most out of the lads.” 

Clancy (40) walked away from a two-year contract extension he’d only signed last September but is likely to reappear on the League of Ireland circuit closer to home.

For City, the hunt for a new boss is already underway.

Former Ireland international Damien Delaney was enlisted to Usher’s board in 2023 shortly after his takeover and there is a committee of four which Clancy reported to when it came to transfer activity.

Managers recently on the League of Ireland beat such as Keith Long, Vinny Perth and Shane Keegan are being linked – and the presence of Roy Keane at the last two matches will spark speculation – but contenders based overseas are under consideration.

Former Ireland underage international Ger Nash was in advanced talks to fill the vacancy before Clancy but eventually opted to remain as Aston Villa’s U18 head coach.

At the start of the season, the 38-year-old was seconded to Swedish outfit GAIS, a partner club of Villa.

He may come back into the frame, as could Brian Barry-Murphy.

The son of Cork GAA legend Jimmy Barry-Murphy has carved out his reputation as a top coach in England, initially as manager of Rochdale as then head of Manchester City’s elite development squad.

The 46-year-old was appointed as assistant to new Leicester City manager Ruud van Nistelrooy at Christmas but uncertainty surrounds their future following confirmation of the team’s relegation to the Championship.