'It hurts' - Ger Nash apologises to Cork City fans following relegation

City's third relegation in six seasons was confirmed by a 2-1 defeat to Shelbourne at Turner's Cross on Monday night.

GOING DOWN: Cork City manager Gerard Nash says relegation "hurts". Pic: Brendan Moran/Sportsfile.

Ger Nash apologised to the Cork City fanbase after the club’s third relegation in six seasons was confirmed by a 2-1 defeat to Shelbourne.

The performance at Turner’s Cross was in stark contrast to their stunning FAI Cup semi-final upset of St Pat’s 10 days previous.

While that final against Shamrock Rovers offers a last chance at redemption in 2025, their league form has been far off the pace with just four wins in 33 games. They sit 11 points adrift of second-from-bottom Galway United. The last time City survived a season in the top flight was in 2019.

Shels’ 88th-minute winner sparked renewed chants against the club ownership, with the home fans singing ‘We want Usher out’.

“We need to rebuild in a much stronger way. It's not a time for talking because it needs action. We just need to apologise to the fans,” said Nash.

“This club has a really passionate fanbase, and nobody wants to be in the First Division, so it hurts.

“The fans are absolutely entitled to their perspective. They spend their hard-earned money. The club hasn't been good enough across the season. It's not been good enough in too many areas.

“We have a cup final to play for, but we're talking about the league tonight, and we haven't been good enough. The table doesn't lie. We have to own that and accept that.”

When pressed on the reasons behind City’s decline and the actions that need to be taken, Nash pointed to player recruitment.

“I can't speak about what went on before. I wasn't here. I was in a different country. Certainly, since I've come to the club, we need to make some improvements in the squad.

“We need to make improvements in terms of how we can come back stronger and hardened. We know we have a lot of young players. We also have a lot of players who aren't too young but haven't had a lot of experience in the Premier Division. That's been something that's hurt us.

“We tried to bring in as many senior players as we could to help that situation. We have some players who really care, and they can be the bedrock for us being successful, but we definitely need to make some improvements in the squad.”

When asked about the knock-on effects of relegation for the playing budget and recruitment, Nash replied: “That's all been ongoing. I don't think that's a conversation for now.”

Nash also insisted he and his staff are “absolutely committed” to leading the club back into the Premier Division.

He explained the decision to omit goalkeeper Conor Brann was taken to give David Odumosu game time.

“Conor was available. He's obviously played a lot of football of late. David Odumosu has had some injuries since he came to the club. He had an opportunity tonight. Both keepers will be available for Friday night.”

City entered off the back of a 10-day break, while Shels had to deal with a three-day turnaround, yet it was the hosts who looked lethargic.

“We didn't really look like threatening them in the first half,” said Nash.

“We got pinned back into a back five too much, which happened a lot against Pat’s, but because we have the lead, we're in control. It's a more comfortable situation for us.

“We improved in that second half and forced the game more with a couple of tweaks. We deserved to get something, and we did, with Seani’s goal.

“For the next ten minutes, we need to go and win. We're throwing caution to the wind. We get caught at the back on the counter with a break on us because of that.

“There was an appeal for a foul. I don't think it's a foul, I have to say that. We need to just look at ourselves, and I don't think we did enough to win the game.”