Ger Nash apologises to fans as Cork City's relegation is confirmed

And so, it’s official. Cork City are down, back to the First Division. Monday night’s 2–1 defeat to Shelbourne at Turner’s Cross removed any lingering mathematical doubt, even if the acceptance had long since set in.

Ger Nash was crestfallen afterwards — not just for what the result meant, but for what it said.

“Really poor start,” he said post-match. “Obviously in terms of the goal conceded, it puts us on the back foot.

“I think for the first half, they were on top possession-wise overall I would say. They were looking to really hurt us. We had a couple of moments where we built up the pitch and got into good areas, but we didn't really look like threatening them in the first half.

“I thought we were improved in the second half. I thought we deserved to get something, and we did, obviously with Seani’s goal. I think that was fair.

“I think the next ten minutes are obviously going to be from us. We need to go and win, so we're throwing caution to the wind. We're obviously looking to get the winner, and we get caught at the back on the counter.

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

If the performance reflected the season, so too did Nash’s honesty. City have lacked sharpness, consistency, and belief in the biggest moments, and the table tells its own story.

“We probably deserved something from the game, but our season, what we needed to do was win,” he said. We know that, and that's what the season's been about. We haven't picked up enough wins, it's as simple as that.

The table doesn't lie, so we are in a position that is fair.

HURT

“It hurts, it hurts everybody. We have to apologise to the fans. The fans who follow us away from home have been incredible.

“We had a special night last week where the fans showed they really were influential, I thought. So this club has got a really passionate fan base and nobody wants to be in the first division, so it hurts.” 

The anger in the Shed End on Monday reflected not only relegation, but uncertainty. With frustrations still swirling around Dermot Usher’s ownership and the club’s direction, supporters once again made their feelings known.

“The fans are absolutely entitled to their perspective. They've spent their hard earned money. We haven't been good enough. 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. We haven't been good enough, so the table doesn't lie. We have to own that and accept that.” 

There was no attempt to dress it up. The rebuild, he admitted, must begin immediately.

“It does, and we need to rebuild in a much stronger way. But I think tonight is not a time for talking because it needs action. 

We just need to apologise to the fans and own it tonight.

And is he the man to lead that rebuild?

“I believe so. I'm absolutely committed to doing that along with the staff. We've to own what's happened since we came to the club, but my commitment is strong.” With the drop now confirmed, conversations around wages and budgets will shape what comes next. Nash, though, wasn’t ready to go there.

“Yes, that's all been ongoing. I don't think that's a conversation for now. I think that's something that will be more pertinent on Thursday.”