Cork City need to use the run-in to build for premier league football in 2024 

NEVER has a promotion push and title charge felt so dull and through it all, Cork City power on knowing they are edging closer and closer to a return to the League of Ireland Premier Division.

The club’s target for the season was set last November, when Waterford won the promotion/relegation play-off and a grand return to the top tier of the Irish football pyramid ended in misery.

The message, from the powers that be and supports over the winter, was simple. Everyone associated with Cork City wanted promotion, the actual title involved seemingly irrelevant.

The Rebel Army isn’t the only team to face this situation in recent years. Shelbourne went through this in 2021 and they went straight back up with a ‘business as normal’ approach under Ian Morris. 

Lessons were learned, and those were used to transform the club after the appointment of Damien Duff as manager.

Their story – which takes in two relegations, an appearance in the FAI Cup final, and European qualification – is utterly irrelevant in the south.

Cork City can only focus on themselves, and that means making sure something comes out of 2024. 

This isn’t about a trophy lift, but making sure foundations are laid to make sure next season is a success and there isn’t a rush of blood during the first few games of the season.

This was the problem in 2023. The club enjoyed results against Shamrock Rovers, UCD, and Dundalk, and there was followed by a four match winning streak going into the mid-season break. 

Things were looking up, until the bubble burst and a run to the FAI Cup semi-finals was needed to provide some life during a slow sleep walk into relegation.

What can be done this year, to really make a lasting impression? Supporters can’t shout about the Munster Senior Cup because the club’s campaign ended with a defeat to Wilton United. 

It’s foolish to rely on the FAI Cup to provide some sort of excitement during the run in, there’s a number of worse case scenarios that could be a bridge too far for a team used to the pace of the First Division.

There isn’t even a ‘title race’ like there was in 2022, the year that saw City battle it out with Galway United until the final few weeks of the season. 

Things got even more interesting when Waterford found form following a rough start, and their promotion push ended with a play-off final defeat to UCD.

The Students are City’s closest challengers this year, even though none of their games have been closely fought with particular edge.

So how does the first-team take a proactive approach to the next few months, knowing they are in the driving seat in a one horse race.

Tim Clancy has to make the decision, and the coach seems to be making moves designed towards a return to the Premier Division.

The inclusion of players like Harvey Skieters is a testament to that given the forward’s age, and growing presence of other U19s around the squad. 

Those players, like Arran Healy and Josh Fitzpatrick, will be learning from those in the senior ranks like Greg Bolger.

It’s small things like that which will make the difference in an individual’s development, while the ongoing exposure of Jaden Umeh means the club have put eyes on the striker in a senior competitive environment.

The problems, like the lack of a clear-cut goal-scorer, are ones which can be addressed. 

This is a completely different scenario to 2023, when the only working component in the team was Ruairi Keating.

The defence this year is working, and Brad Wade is the goalkeeper City wanted since David Harrington left for Fleetwood Town. 

The midfield is a work in process, with the only noticeable issue being the status of Sean Murray as he is on loan from Glentoran in the Irish League. 

As frustrating as this is, it means there’s an positional problem that needs to be addressed as opposed to a whole area of the pitch needing surgery.

It's small things like this can make a difference, especially when a club goes up with the same squad.

The coaching team has an opportunity to learn from the mistakes of their predecessors, instead of throwing everything into a promotion push and thinking everything would be okay.

And time is on their side, with five months left in the First Division season and the summer transfer window about to open.

It’s all about the future, and the most important time to act is the present.