Frustration for Cork City and Tim Clancy, despite leading the First Division

TIM Clancy was left frustrated after Cork City were able to find a way past a stubborn UCD side on Friday night. 

Although a draw against the Students means that it is now just one away victory for the Rebel Army in five attempts this season, having drawn the other four games, City extended their lead at the top of the division to four points after Finn Harps suffered a surprise defeat to Athlone Town. 

Clancy felt that the substitutions he made during the game did show his intent on City winning the match, but a lack of quality in the final third let the team down. It was the Rebel Army’s eighth clean sheet of the season and Clancy once again praised his defence’s contribution to the game.

It was a frustrating game. Results have gone our way in other games so we have gone another point ahead at the top of the league but we are a little bit disappointed with the game. 

"I thought we looked solid again. It’s another clean sheet but we want to win games. We made four or five changes during the game and I thought the subs made a real impact and we really pushed towards the end of the game to try to get a winner. But probably in the final third, our touch might have gotten ahead of us, or we made the wrong decision, and our execution wasn’t right. 

"We didn’t get the win but a 0-0 against a very good UCD side isn’t a bad result." 

The introduction of four City substitutions during the game did make the Rebel Army look more threatening going forward but the players just lacked that little bit of composure in the crucial moment and Clancy praised the impact of the substitutions.

“I thought Josh (Fitzpatrick) was very very positive. He got it out of his feet and got to the endline and put crosses in. Jaden (Umeh) had a header back post. He had a really good header back post and he was unlucky. He probably lacked that little bit of belief in that good position.

"He had another chance where he cut inside two players but unfortunately hit it straight at the keeper. Nathan Wood had a good impact. 

"I thought Sean Murray got on the ball really well as well. He got into the box and had one that fizzed through his legs when he possibly could have got a shot away, but it is what it is what is. It’s frustrating for us but it just shows where we are at in regards to the fact that we are coming away from home and we are disappointed with a 0-0.” 

City’s away record from Turners Cross, although they are still undefeated, needs to improve if they are to get over the line and win the division. They have to start winning more games because if they don’t they will allow other teams the opportunity to overtake them. Although Finn Harps slipped up, meaning City went four points, Wexford can close the gap at the top to two points if they win their games in hand. 

CONTENDERS

Having lost two of their first three games, James Keddy’s side are quietly going about their business and have emerged as one of City’s main competitors.

With it unknown when City will return to Turner's Cross following the announcement that it will be closed for at least the month of April, City have to improve their away form. 

Yes, it’s great being undefeated but City are better winning games and losing a few rather than constantly drawing games. They were better than UCD in terms of looking more likely to win the game, However, the Students were comfortable and neither side deserved to win the game and the draw was a fair result.