'Cork City have won one game in 22 – we’re sick of losing': Ger Nash struggles to stop rot

A Cork City supporter shows his frustration in the direction of the Cork City players and management. Pic: Michael P Ryan/Sportsfile

Words are difficult to rationalise when statistics are so damning.

Ger Nash did his utmost to portray an optimistic outlook after the Premier Division’s basement side Cork City slipped to their 13th defeat of the season on Friday, as Munster rivals Waterford inflicted a 2-0 reverse.

Thirteen is also the number of games City have gone without the taste of victory, but there was nothing unlucky about this loss, which keeps them five points adrift of the foot of the table.

Granted, better finishing should have avoided another blank, but equally culpable to the outcome was slack defending. Different personnel at the back didn’t prevent overplaying in the wrong areas, costing goals.

There’s the FAI Cup second round tie against non-league Leicester Celtic next Saturday before the rescue mission resumes on July 24, entering the final third of the season.

City have back-to-back home games on successive Fridays against the two teams directly above them, Sligo Rovers and now Galway United.

“This team has won one game in 22,” Nash said, referring to the last of two victories this season, the Easter Monday comeback win over Waterford.

“We’re sick of losing and that’s a huge issue for us.

“It’s really hard for players to have belief after that run but we need to go back to the drawing board to try to win games. There are 12 left and that’s the only way to get ourselves out of this situation.” 

 Nash, appointed to his first senior managerial job in May, spoke of the reasons for his winless run at the helm extending to eight.

“We had as many chances in the first half but Waterford were clinical,” he summarised.

“We created enough chances that with better finishing we’d have won the game. We could have had one or two in the first period but it’s ifs and buts.

“We went out with a team and tactic to create chances – picking an attacking-minded side to let our players attack. We gave the first goal by trying to find the players. We know there’s a lot of work to do.

“The reality is we’re feeling it. That run is difficult on everyone. There’s a transient nature of the group, changing management and players, and we’re trying to build momentum from midseason at a crucial time.” 

Fan frustration has been growing in recent weeks. Over 500 made the 90-minute trip to Waterford and the away section aired their feelings at the final whistle. Unfortunately, a few scaled the fence and approached players and staff.

“It’s completely understandable,” Nash observed. “Fans pay their money and they travel wanting the team to win games. We’ve not done that but I can promise the fans that we do care. Everybody feels that pain and we are fighting.”