'We need to start picking up points real quick': Maguire fully aware of Cork City's ticking clock
CRUNCH TIME: Seani Maguire, Cork City, Luke Heeney, Drogheda United. Pic: Jim Coughlan.
Twenty-one games played. Two wins. Zero clean sheets. Not easy reading for Cork City fans, management and players alike.
Since new City boss Ger Nash's appointment on May 15, their record reads three losses, two draws, zero wins. Again, not the bounce the 38-year-old would have been hoping for, but there have been green shoots during his short tenure.
Last Monday saw Nash pick up the second point of his reign thanks to Djanairo Daniels' late equaliser, with the other coming in another very promising performance in the 1-1 at home to Shelbourne.
Perhaps this City playing group hasn't got the rub of the green they've needed to kick on at points this season, but Seani Maguire insists their resurgence needs to happen now. With 15 Premier Division games remaining, there's no time to feel sorry for themselves.
That starts with the visit of Stephen Kenny's St Patrick's Athletic to Turner's Cross on Friday night.
"I think it can become kind of a mental thing, mind over matter. When things aren't going your way and you start to feel sorry for yourselves, especially with a young group," Maguire said. "It's up to us senior players to gather them around, help them move forward, because we don't have enough time.
"There are 15 games left, we need to be looking to win games. We need to start picking up points real quick because if we don't, it could be too late."
Fan discontent has been growing of late, to say the very least. The City faithful have never been ones to hide such.
Several chants could be heard from the supporters in the shed end - who were among a season-low 1,815 crowd - last Monday night, aimed at majority owner Dermot Usher, who took over the club from FORAS prior to the 2023 season.
Eleven-time capped Republic of Ireland international Maguire has called on the City fans to get behind the squad. He knows exactly the effect it can have on the players down at pitch level.
"Look, I can sense their frustration; it's their club that they've been supporting for years. Going to every game, spending their well-earned money," the 31-year-old striker said. "When they're not seeing results go our way and seeing the club they love at the bottom of the league, it's not going to be nice.
"I don't think it's coming from a lack of effort, I think the players are working their socks off every game to make sure we get points on the board and we're really trying to turn this around.
"I think the support has been fantastic. I've been at this club through the best days and best years and it's obviously not nice seeing where the club is now in terms of league position, so if we can get the crowd behind us, behind the players, it would do a lot for us.
"When you have Turner's Cross rocking, it gives us that edge. It's an old cliché, but it can be the 12th man, but then again, it falls into the players' hands; we're the only people that are going to get us out of this situation."
While worry is rife regarding the club's position, Maguire believes the talent exists within the walls of their Bishopstown training base to change the mood music around the city and county.
Despite the prospect of departures with the likes of Djenairo Daniels, Cathal O'Sullivan heavily linked with moves away, and a number of loans coming to an end, Maguire is confident the acquisitions Nash has so far made in defenders Fiacre Kelleher, Rory Feely and Aston Villa striker Charlie Lutz can help their cause.
"I wouldn't worry too much as of yet because we've got a lot of talent in this dressing room. Things can be turned around... and the manager bringing in a couple more players is only going to make us stronger for the last third, half of the season, things can turn very quickly.
"There's still a lot of football to be played."
Kelleher has joined the group in the last week or so - despite not being able to play until July 1 - and his impact has been felt already, as illustrated by his new head coach Nash.
"Fiacre has made a really strong impression on me... I was really pleased to get him on board. He's trained with the group four or five times, and he's been able to do his extra fitness work.
"His experience in the game to date, his passion for the club and his leadership qualities have been strong since he has come in to work with us."
Bohemians v Sligo Rovers, Dalymount Park; Cork City v St Patrick's Athletic, Turner's Cross; Derry City v Drogheda United, Ryan McBride Brandywell; Galway United v Shelbourne, Eamonn Deacy Park; Shamrock Rovers v Waterford, Tallaght Stadium, 8pm.
Athlone Town v Bray Wanderers, Athlone Town Stadium; Dundalk v Cobh Ramblers, Oriel Park; Treaty United v Finn Harps, Markets Field; Wexford v Kerry, Ferrycarrig Park.
Longford Town v UCD, Bishopsgate, 7.30pm.
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