Cork City boss hits back at doubters after stunning semi-final win over St Patrick’s Athletic
Ger Nash says his Cork City players used outside criticism as motivation in their 3-0 win over St Patrick’s Athletic on Friday night. The result booked a spot in the FAI Cup final on November 9.
Many expected an all-Dublin final when Shamrock Rovers and St Pat’s were kept apart in the draw. Cheers were heard at Richmond Park when the Saints were drawn to face bottom-placed Cork, something the Rebels did not forget.
“I’ve heard a lot of stories about how the final was already picked,” said Nash. “I think that’s disrespectful to me, the staff, the players – how we work. It was certainly said to people in the group that it was almost a foregone conclusion.”
Cork deliver a statement
In front of 5,408 fans at Turner’s Cross, Seáni Maguire scored after just nine minutes. Evan McLaughlin added two quick goals to seal a famous victory.
St Pat’s boss Stephen Kenny admitted: “The first goal is a mistake from our point of view. Joe (Anang) has misjudged it and he (Maguire) finished it.”
The result was Cork’s best of the season and ended talk of an easy path to the final for Dublin’s clubs.
Nash calls for unity and progress
Despite likely relegation, Nash believes Cork can rebuild. “We need unity here,” he said. “I can honestly tell fans we’ve tried to put some plan in place where we can have a group that will stay together and build for a bit of time.”
He also confirmed plans for a full-time setup next season. “It must be all-in,” said Nash. “I’ve got a group of players who’ve been doing that now, and we just need to grow that.”
