Cork City boss Nash keen to keep momentum going, praises 'vital' Feely

City boss Ger Nash praised Rory Feely's leadership and performance levels of late.

Fri, 15 Aug, 2025 - 11:20

Shane Donovan

The game-by-game focus of Cork City boss Ger Nash has turned to a Munster derby FAI Cup tie with Waterford on Friday night.

The win over Galway United gave his young City charges the jolt of momentum they so badly needed. Their defensively driven result away to Derry City a week later ensured that momentum remained intact.

It's a spell that has given City back-to-back clean sheets for the first time this campaign, and the chance to see a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel that is their Premier Division survival fight.

Up for grabs at Turner's Cross is FAI Cup progression, and the chance to keep that aforementioned momentum going. Nash knows the importance of exactly that against a Padraig Amond-led Blues side.

"We want to go and win and get something from the game. The process for me is the same, for the staff, it's the same," said Nash. "We prepare the team to win, we work that way, so, we're desperate to win, desperate to go on a run.

"That atmosphere in the week, because it's a cup game, is slightly different. When the the next round of the cup, we want to be in the hat, that's for sure."

He continued: "Momentum, I've spoke about it before, it's a huge thing in football, that confidence, that belief, you can talk about it but until you actually go and do it, that's the greatest way to improve confidence.

"The Galway win, the performance up in Derry, in terms of the way we were defensively, has given us some confidence. We absolutely want to keep that momentum going, keep that run going, and also be more on the front-foot to show more of our attacking threat tomorrow night, especially at Turner's Cross."

The recent clean sheets have been due in no small part to the solidity of the defensive unit, inclusive of goalkeeper Conor Brann, as well as youngsters Harry Nevin, Matthew Kiernan and Freddie Anderson. The most important cog, however, has been Rory Feely.

The recent arrival from Crawley Town - who previously shone in the blue of Waterford - will be crucial in keeping the back door shut for the remainder of the season.

"Rory was at a League One club under contract, so he was a really good signing for the club," said the City manager of Feely. "The club have backed me with him, I was delighted to get him, I probably didn't think I'd get him to be totally honest.

"He is going to be a huge player for the club, for now and for the future. I can't speak highly enough of him as a man, first and foremost, and as a leader, he's got good experience in the league already and he's had some difficult experiences in England as well which is part of why he is such a good character.

"Look, his performances, let's not forget he's probably just getting fit now, he's basically had his four-five-six week pre-season now so, his performances in the last couple of games have been huge.

"He's been absolutely vital to the team... He's really led that back line and they've really strong."

Aside from the long-term absentees, City will still be without the experience of Greg Bolger and Fiacre Kelleher for the visit of John Coleman's Waterford, but Charlie Lyons is close to a return and Nash may welcome back Sean Murray - a boost given the minutes played by both Evan McLaughlin and Darragh Crowley of late.

"The group have done particularly well in recent weeks, we've had a number of experienced players out... Sean Murray is getting closer, Charlie Lyons is getting closer, Greg Bolger is hopefully not too far away as well," Nash concluded.