Craig Robinson: Cork City can learn from how clinical champions Athlone Town are

Cork City will go again this week with a game against Shamrock Rovers on Saturday in the Women’s Premier Division at Turner’s Cross, 5pm.

This comes just three days after they were downed 4-0 by Athlone Town, who won the league on Leeside with a near-perfect display.

City manager Craig Robinson said his players were inspired by the defeat, as that is the standard they aspire to.

“Yeah, look, to be fair, it was always going to be a tough game,” he said.

“I am proud of the girls, but look, massive congrats to Athlone. They are champions for a reason.

“We saw there today, like to be fair, the girls worked hard and they denied them chances, but they are clinical. They are very clinical. They put away their chances and they deserve to be champions, so massive congrats to them.

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"One of the players said it there in the circle that that is where we want to get to,” he added.

“To get there you have to play against those teams and you have to experience loss and you have to go with that and you have to use that to be better. We have a fantastic young team and it's about developing those players and keep them within the club because there are opportunities.” 

The Rebel Army will pick themselves up against a Shamrock Rovers side sitting in eighth place with just 31 points collected.

City played their Dublin rivals earlier this season and lost 2-1 last June at Tallaght Stadium, with Eva Mangan pulling one back late on.

“I said it to the players at the start that these are the occasions we want to be at,” Robinson explained.

“You want to be involved these days whether are the players or the coaches. It is the only way you can go. 

It is another tough challenge. It's a different challenge. 

"Two games, as you said in the week, so it's again about managing the load of the players and stuff like that.

“There will be different players out there from the start and it is up to them to show what they got.” 

A major plus for the coach is the fitness of Una Foyle as the goalkeeper is back after a lengthy spell on the sidelines.

The shot-stopper issued a reminder of her abilities on Wednesday by making a number of saves to keep Athlone out as they pushed for a goals at Turner’s Cross. Foyle pulled off a string of excellent saves, despite conceding four times. Robinson is inspired by this display, as he looks at Shamrock Rovers' visit.

“It's brilliant because Una has been out a while and she's a very experienced player and to have her back in is fantastic,” he said.

“We’re blessed with three very good keepers here, all with different experience, and all different ages. But it is great to have Una back in.”