Holland set to rest City players ahead of the play-off game and not worry about the Rovers result

AFTER seeing his team lose out to Derry City thanks to a wonder-goal from Ronan Boyce, Cork City manager Richie Holland was frustrated by his side’s defending for the goal. 

The City boss also believes that the team need to show more quality at the other end of the pitch.

“It was frustrating. Again we will get some pats on the back and get told we were unlucky but it is a results business here, you get punished for not being strong enough in our own box defensively. 

"We didn’t clear a ball, we didn’t win the first tackle and another tackle on the edge of the box, yes it’s a great strike but we are done but that. That’s what it is and it’s really frustrating," Holland said.

“You expect Derry will have periods of the game where they are going to be on top with the quality they have, and I felt at the time we had just weathered the storm as such. 

"There is a free-kick on the side but we are given advantage where Malik (Dijksteel) has to dribble past four players and he gives away the ball and the goal comes from that. 

"So that’s the frustrating part as well for me because there is one in the first half and he ( referee Damien MacGraith) has let it go for a number of seconds and he has brought it back so that is the frustrating part.

“I felt we dealt with most of what they had. In the first half we looked more threatening. We had the ball in the net twice and had other efforts. It’s just frustrating again because we were in the game but we lost it in the end.

”We probably just need that little bit of extra quality in these types of games. You could see it there with their goal. 

"It’s probably a half chance and it has flown into the top corner and they win the games and that’s the difference."

Holland admits he is now focussing on judging his players ahead of their relegation play-off game.

“We need to look at it as a cup final. I’m going to assess the group over the next few weeks in terms of their application in training and games, and I will be picking the players that I see that are ready to play in that game. 

"In a one-off game anything can happen so for us it’s about doing our work now and getting ready.” 

City face Shamrock Rovers on Monday evening and the only real topic debate about the game will be if the Rebel Army will give Stephen Bradley’s side a guard of honour after the Hoops were crowned champions for the fourth successive season after they defeated St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night. 

"I don’t think any of the supporters would want to see the City players do it and I would be in agreement with those fans. I know the whole idea behind the guard of honour is about respect but I don’t think it would matter to the Rovers’ players whether City do it or not. "All they care about is getting their hands on the league trophy on Friday.

"I’ve never liked guards of honour on a soccer pitch and I hope we don’t see one Monday. However such is the insignificance of the outcome of the game that the guard of honour is the main taking point. 

"Other issues would be the team selection, which I believe the players that are definitely going to be involved in the relegation play-off game should be rested."