Liam Kearney: It is important City's new manager is based in Cork

Tim Clancy resigned from his role as City boss recently, citing the difficulty of living in Dublin with his family and commuting to Leesider as one of the main reasons behind his decision.

Wed, 14 May, 2025 - 16:47

Andrew Horgan

Liam Kearney believes it is important that Cork City’s new manager is based in the county permanently.

Tim Clancy resigned from his role as City boss in the aftermath of their loss to Derry City at Turner’s Cross last Friday night, citing the difficulty of living in Dublin with his family and commuting to Cork as one of the main reasons behind his decision.

Kearney, along with Greg Yelverton, will take charge of the team for their visit to St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday and speaking ahead of the clash, the Rebel Army’s Head of Academy confirmed the club are hoping to appoint a new manager by the end of the week.

“It came as a surprise to all of us,” began Kearney.

“We came out after the game on Friday night, we had a chat and Tim basically just said ‘it’s time now’.

“We tried (to get him) to have a little think about it, go home, sleep on it, whatever, but he felt quite strongly at that time, so we respect everything that he’s done for us.

“I think (the new manager) definitely needs to be based in Cork and get absolutely entrenched within the club.

“From my point of view – I’m the Head of Academy – so… I suppose Tim, in fairness, was brilliant in terms of giving players opportunities.

John Fallon: Billionaires' LOI playground a tough code for Cork City to crack

“You could see the amount of young players that have flourished because of that opportunity so again similar lines as Tim from that point of view, that wants to know about the young players that are coming through, where they’re at, when they’re going to be ready and that communication with me.

“But very much I think it’s important that they are based here and have the time, they’re living the experience of being in Cork City Football Club and just having that time and availability.

“The club is working very hard on a new manager and hopefully by the end of the week someone is going to be in place to take the role.”

Asked if he is interested in taking on the role himself, Kearney strongly stated: “Absolutely no. Absolutely not.

“My job is big enough with the academy and I really enjoy it so no, certainly not. I wouldn’t be experienced enough for that role.

“Maybe down the line but at the moment it is certainly not a huge aspiration of mine.

"I love being involved with the first team, this is my club, it means a lot to be here and it’s an honour to be even in this position in a difficult time as it is, it is an honour to be in the role for one week.”

Meanwhile Kearney also praised Cork native Josh Honohan for receiving his first call-up to the Republic of Ireland senior squad for the upcoming friendlies against Senegal and Luxembourg, although he joked it would have been better if he achieved the feat while wearing a City jersey rather than Shamrock Rovers'.

"Great lad, Josh. I was the (City) under 17 manager when he first came in. Fantastic kid, his brother Callum is with us as well, really nice family so I'm delighted for him with the work that he has put in to get to where he is, it's been phenomenal.

"Obviously we would like him to be in it in a Cork City jersey but we only wish him the very best.

"Actually at the time we had Josh and Jake O'Brien at centre back. They've both gone on to do really, really well. But it's his tenacity it's something that I look for even in young boys coming into the club from 13s to 14s now is having that desire to be a defender.

"I know he's a wing-back now at the moment and he has progressed further up the pitch but just how he looked after himself, physically as well and his athleticism, he really had high potential and it's great to see him starting to reach that now."

Cathal O'Sullivan looks set to be the next City youngster to make a significant move having been spotted sitting behind Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner at their U21's match against Southampton on Monday.

"When you talk about experience and winners, Cathal, as a young lad, is a winner already.

"How he trains, how he looks after himself, how he works in the gym, the workrate on the pitch. People might say 'oh he's a flair player' but he's anything but that in terms of his work ethic.

"He has grown into first-team football from being an obvious talent in the academy. He's a really, really top player.

"We know there's big clubs interested in him and if he keeps performing like he is and on a regular basis - nothing seems to be getting to him from the outside stuff which can happen young players - he's in a really good place.

"The ceiling is very high for Cathal. Whatever decision he makes... he's very comfortable at any level."