'Talk is cheap': Ger Nash's Cork City need to improve for the fans 

It’s been a turbulent few seasons for Cork City, marked by a mix of highs and some notably deep lows.

The strain has been felt across the club– by fans, players, and staff alike. That sense of uncertainty deepened recently when Tim Clancy announced his resignation as manager.

Cork City appointed Kildare native Ger Nash as his successor. Nash brings with him a wealth of coaching experience, particularly from his time in England, and arrived with a clear message: it’s time to take Cork City back to where they belong.

Although Nash’s second game in charge didn’t yield a win, there were encouraging signs. The performance against Shelbourne was full of intent and energy. City did very little wrong, yet walked away with just a point.

“I’m pleased, I'm really pleased with the players,” Nash said after the draw with Shelbourne on Friday. I'm disappointed not to get three points. That's obvious. We really wanted it, we've worked hard all week to achieve that.

“So I'm disappointed not to get three points. But I'm pleased with the players, I'm pleased with the staff. It's been a difficult time the last few weeks of this football club and don't underestimate – there's been a lot of change, it's difficult for players. It's difficult for staff.

“So, I'm really pleased with lots of aspects of tonight. I think there [were] some really good performances and probably what makes me happy the most, is the togetherness of the group, the spirit of the group.

TOGETHERNESS

“I had a feeling in the stadium of togetherness, from people, the fans, the club and the players.” City dominated the first half, creating numerous chances but failing to find the net. Despite the missed opportunities, Nash remained upbeat.

“I thought in the first half we were the better side, I think we had some good chances and you know we hit the target, I don't think we were wasteful. It just didn't go in for us.

“That happens sometimes, but look what's most important, I think is that the team played on the front foot,” Nash said. “We played the way I want to see the team play. I think we respected the fans, the traditions of this club and we showed the fans how we want to play. And that's really important to me.

“We could have had a goal at half-time maybe, but I want us to play a certain way, I want the fans to see that I want the fancy free part of that. I want to see that ion, and that's what I want to see going forward.

The league takes a break, but I’ll be working to make this team better.

And while performances do matter, as Nash himself its, this is a results business.

So what will be different under his leadership? Can Cork City re-establish themselves as a Premier Division mainstay?

“Talk is cheap, isn't it?” he said, after their draw with Shelbourne. “So what I've got to do is put a team on the pitch that represents this city – this fantastic sporting city – and I've got to put a team on the pitch that shows the ion that represents them.

“Talk is cheap, we've got to come back here we've got to work. We're coming back here in two weeks, and we've got show that ion. I really want to fans just come with us, I really do. I felt it tonight,” he explained. “I felt it at the end. They'll come with us if we show that ion, so that's what we have to do.

“We've got one performance where people are telling me they're happy with it. I want more.”