Tim Clancy on Cork City's draw with Drogheda: That was the worst we played this season 

Cork City manager Tim Clancy did not mince his words when reflecting on his side’s underwhelming performance in their 1-1 draw with league leaders Drogheda United at Turner's Cross. 

Clearly frustrated, Clancy admitted that his team was well below the standard expected, describing it as their poorest display of the season. He highlighted a lack of composure from start to finish and credited Drogheda for their aggressive pressing and effective use of direct play. 

While the result secured a point, Clancy was more concerned with the overall showing, emphasising that Cork City simply did not stand up to the challenge on the night.

“We were really poor. I thought it was the poorest we have been all season. We probably lacked composure from the first minute to the last. Drogheda pressed high. 

They were aggressive. They play the percentage game brilliantly. 

"That is why they were sitting top of the league. I just thought we were really poor in terms of the performance more than anything else.” 

Clancy acknowledged that there were still some positives to take from the game. He pointed to one particular sequence leading up to the penalty that demonstrated what his team was capable of when they moved the ball with speed and intelligence. 

The build-up, which involved quick ball movement and a well-delivered cross from Benny Couto, was one of the few moments Clancy was satisfied with. He noted that while the team struggled to impose themselves for large portions of the game, that brief passage of play showed the attacking quality Cork City possesses when executing their game plan effectively.

“Look we did take something from the game and I suppose you can look at that as a positive but I think the only spell, or passage of play that we were happy with was for the build-up for the penalty. We got it on one side, it's not on, it’s tight and we have shifted it quickly. 

"We have gone opposite full-back into a midfielder, broke the line with a pass into an overlapping full-back. It’s a brilliant ball in by Benny and then we end up getting the penalty in the second phase.” 

FRUSTRATED

Clancy was particularly frustrated with his side’s lack of urgency throughout the match, something he had not witnessed from them all season. He noted how Drogheda consistently turned every set-piece opportunity into a dangerous situation by loading the box with physical presence, a tactic that Cork City struggled to cope with. 

The manager expressed his disappointment in his team’s inability to match Drogheda’s intensity, particularly in defensive situations. However, he did find one silver lining, despite being without seven first-team players, his side still managed to secure a point.

“But I just thought we lacked urgency. I don’t know why we lacked urgency. It’s the first time that I have seen it this season. 

Every throw-in. Every free kick or anything near the halfway line in our half, Drogheda make it a chance.

"They load the box with the big lads and I didn’t think we stood up to that tonight. I was a little bit disappointed in it. But again, look, I suppose the positive is that we were probably without seven first-team players and we have come away with a point, and it’s a point that I suppose when the league leaders come here that's a positive.” 

City make the long trip to face Derry City next in the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium. Although Derry have had poor results this campaign it will not be easy for City to secure their first away win. 

It remains likely they will be without Seani Maguire, Greg Bolger and Malik Dijksteel but will have Charlie Lyons available for selection again after he served a one-game suspension against Drogheda.