‘Naive defending cost us’: Cork City boss identifies problem area

Cork City lost their fourth consecutive game on Friday night, a 2-1 defeat to Galway United. 

Cork City are the only team in the Premier Division not to keep a clean sheet this season. Pic: Thomas Flinkow/Sportsfile

New Cork City boss Ger Nash admits his team must eradicate ‘naïve’ defending to bolster their survival prospects.

Galway United inflicted a fourth successive defeat on City in Friday’s meeting in the west, ex-Rebel Conor McCormack sealing a 2-1 victory with five minutes left.

Conceding late goals has become a niggling habit following their promotion this year and instead of closing the gap on eight-placed Galway to five points, defeat leaves them 11 points adrift encased in the relegation playoff spot.

Next Friday’s visit of Damien Duff’s Shelbourne to Turner’s Cross brings the season to the midway point and an international break.

With just two wins from 17 matches and the only team in the top-flight yet to keep clean sheet, former defender Nash realises the foundations are priority for City.

“Galway are a team of men and they put pressure on us towards the end,” Nash said of a match that saw the teams trade goals early in the second half.

“We had a lot of teenagers on the pitch and this was a tough place to learn.

“The game was in the melting pot, I felt one goal would settle the match and it went their way.

“There was a bit of naïvety in some of our defending - not just the teenagers - and we’ve been punished.

“There are key moments in the game when you’ve just to defend and see games through.

“We were naïve at that time, which is incredibly frustrating, but we’ve only had four sessions over the first six days.

“The players are fighting for the club and fans. I’m responsible for putting the team on the pitch and I’ve to make it better through my coaching sessions.

“It’s my job to help them learn quicker and be better in certain moments. We need to put a lot of work in.” 

Nash was aware of the task when accepting the offer to succeed Tim Clancy from owner Dermot Usher and feels the return of Seáni Maguire and Greg Bolger from injuries as subs on Friday will aid their cause.

“The table never lies, especially after 17 games,” he confessed.

“We know where we are and what we must do. I’ve come here to take this club and do everything to move us up the table.

“Over the last week, I got to learn about the players, speaking to the individually and what I know is they really care.

"It’s really important to keep players fit and there was frustration at losing two more this week - Kitt Nelson and Harry Nevin. We’re getting them assessed.

“We are building Seáni up in terms of minutes. He and Greg will have a huge part to play for the rest of the season.

“It’s really important we keep them fit for the next 19 games, not just 30 minutes here and there. They’re the leaders and really good characters.

“We’ve one game left against Shelbourne next week before being able to breathe, work, digest and look at the transfer window.”