'We need to go out and win away' - Ger Nash spells out Cork City plight

Ger Nash walks off after another disappointing Cork City performance. Picture: James Lawlor/Inpho

Cork City manager Ger Nash admits the team’s Premier Division survival depends on points more than performances.

Five points adrift at the foot of the table with 13 games remaining, the next two are against the teams directly above them.

Friday’s Munster derby against eight-placed Waterford at the RSC will be followed by the visit of Sligo Rovers to Turner’s Cross on July 25, sandwiched in between by an FAI Cup tie against Leicester Celtic.

Nash has yet to experience the winning feeling in his seven games at the helm since succeeding Tim Clancy and recognises victories, rather than draws, are the commodity imperative to the rescue mission.

His four new recruits, defenders Fiacre Kelleher and Rory Feely, along with goalkeeper David Odumosu and attacker Charlie Lutz could all feature in the south-east after starting Tuesday’s friendly against Celtic at Páirc Uí Chaoimh.

It took until last Friday week’s scoreless draw against St Patrick’s Athletic, at the 22nd attempt, for City to keep a clean sheet this season. Chiselling out their first away win would represent another milestone.

“The time for positive performances is possibly in the past,” said Nash, stopping short of branding the two matches as must-win.

“We need to go away from home and win. I’m aware of the stat. I kept getting asked about the clean sheet so if we get the away win it will stop me being asked about that too.

“We know this is a huge game for this club.

“We’ve had to deal with a lot over the seven games. I’ve a core group of players who really care. I’ve got performances but need points.

“It’s a privilege to be in this position. I knew taking the job that it would be a challenge. There’s been a lot of changes in players and staff. We’re investing every minute trying to make the club better on and off the pitch, to try to get back to some of its previous success.” Whereas City’s pre-season window leans heavily on loan additions, all four recent signings are on permanent deals. That’s no coincidence.

“They’re all permanent signings who’ve turned down other offers,” he explained about the quartet, soon to be added to by a couple more.

“It’s important to have people here, not just from window to window. It’s a credit to the club to back me with permanent deals.

“For those players, we’ve got big expectations and demands. It’s a challenge in terms of their recent time off but we’re looking to hit the ground running. They can’t just come in and play 90 minutes every game and that’s the challenge. Heart and determination can take them a long way when their bodies are tired.

“Coming in midseason was a unique challenge for me. We’ve been competitive in most of our matches. I’ve got most of the squad back together. When I came in there were issues around fitness and availability.

“Some players were going to leave the club and it will help clarity getting closer to our squad for the rest of the season.” A red card for Charlie Lyons in last week’s 3-1 defeat at Shelbourne incurred a three-match suspension, increasing the prospect of Kelleher and Feely being the central defensive pairing.