Ger Nash: Upturn in Cork City form is proof of squad's character

Dejection was the emotion at Turner's Cross that July evening against Sligo Rovers, but what it did do was give the City squad a chance to show their character.

Fri, 22 Aug, 2025 - 06:00

Shane Donovan

The challenge that Cork City face has been clear for some time now: Build momentum, win games.

That won't change when they land at Dalymount Park to take on second-placed Bohemians on Friday night.

A month has now passed since that cruel 3-2 loss to the second-from-bottom Sligo Rovers outfit they continue to chase down. Dejection was the emotion at Turner's Cross that evening, but what it did do was give the City squad a chance to show their character.

They have done that, Galway were beaten the week after, Derry were held on their own patch, and thanks to provider Evan McLaughlin and teenage goalscorers Matthew Murray and Kaedyn Kamara, Waterford were dumped out of the FAI Cup last week.

For City boss Ger Nash, it's a clear example of the resilience that exists inside his dressing room.

"I think it comes from stepping through things and going through things," Nash said. "The experience we had against Sligo was really tough.

"It reveals your character. I don't think you can just turn a tap on and be different a few days later. I think it just reveals your character.

"We've got the right characters. We've got a lot of experienced players who aren't even in the team, but we've got some good characters in the club, in the building."

CUP BOOST: Kaedyn Kamara of Cork City celebrates after the win over Waterford. Pic: Tyler Miller/Sportsfile

What's been noticeable about this City side throughout August is a consistency that has allowed players to form relationships on the pitch. It's also allowed players to show their true ability. Last week, Nash was full of praise for centre-half Rory Feely's qualities, and it's clear others have benefited from the recent upturn in form.

McLaughlin and Darragh Crowley have made big impacts on games of late in the midfield engine room, while winger Josh Fitzpatrick is performing admirably. The former pair are in their mid-20s, while Fitzpatrick is still a teenager, but given the youthful nature of the team, Nash expects leaders of all ages to emerge.

The City boss has spoken previously about needing to "feel winning". That now-achieved feeling has done his City charges no harm.

"I think that the jersey feels a bit lighter for players in that case (team consistency and winning games) and they grow a little bit... The players have been working well for a significant period of time," the 39-year-old said. "I'm really pleased for someone like Evan (McLaughlin), last week, two good deliveries for the goals.

"We'll be looking for him to do that again. He's a good footballer, someone I like working with, and the staff like working with. And Fitzy (Josh Fitzpatrick) is everything I think I want the club to be about. He's a Cork man through and through. He's a young kid. He's come through the academy. He's tough as nails. He'll die for this football club."

"We're a young group. And because we're a young group, I think you will naturally have leaders emerge because they have to."

So, Alan Reynolds' Bohs await. The messaging will be clear from Nash and David Meyler at Dalymount.

"We've got a really tough game on Friday," the City boss said. “We want to continue that run we've had in terms of being difficult to beat in the last three games and be that way without the ball.

“But we also want to obviously create chances and be able to go up the other end and hurt Bohs and score goals. So, we know we've got a huge game ahead of us.”

He added: "But before we talk about tactics and things like that, the first thing we need to be is a group that are mentally strong."