'Cork City have won one game in 22 – we're sick of losing': Ger Nash struggles to stop rot
Ger Nash did his utmost to portray an optimistic outlook after the Premier Division's basement side Cork City slipped to their 13th defeat of the season on Friday, as Munster rivals Waterford inflicted a 2-0 reverse.
Thirteen is also the number of games City have gone without the taste of victory, but there was nothing unlucky about this loss, which keeps them five points adrift of the foot of the table.
Granted, better finishing should have avoided another blank, but equally culpable to the outcome was slack defending. Different personnel at the back didn't prevent overplaying in the wrong areas, costing goals.
There's the FAI Cup second round tie against non-league Leicester Celtic next Saturday before the rescue mission resumes on July 24, entering the final third of the season.
City have back-to-back home games on successive Fridays against the two teams directly above them, Sligo Rovers and now Galway United.
'This team has won one game in 22,' Nash said, referring to the last of two victories this season, the Easter Monday comeback win over Waterford.
'We're sick of losing and that's a huge issue for us.
'It's really hard for players to have belief after that run but we need to go back to the drawing board to try to win games. There are 12 left and that's the only way to get ourselves out of this situation.'
Nash, appointed to his first senior managerial job in May, spoke of the reasons for his winless run at the helm extending to eight.
'We had as many chances in the first half but Waterford were clinical,' he summarised.
'We created enough chances that with better finishing we'd have won the game. We could have had one or two in the first period but it's ifs and buts.
'We went out with a team and tactic to create chances – picking an attacking-minded side to let our players attack. We gave the first goal by trying to find the players. We know there's a lot of work to do.
'The reality is we're feeling it. That run is difficult on everyone. There's a transient nature of the group, changing management and players, and we're trying to build momentum from midseason at a crucial time.'
Fan frustration has been growing in recent weeks. Over 500 made the 90-minute trip to Waterford and the away section aired their feelings at the final whistle. Unfortunately, a few scaled the fence and approached players and staff.
'It's completely understandable,' Nash observed. 'Fans pay their money and they travel wanting the team to win games. We've not done that but I can promise the fans that we do care. Everybody feels that pain and we are fighting.'
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
RTÉ News
5 hours ago
- RTÉ News
Cobh Ramblers acquired by Digital Athlete Ventures
Cobh Ramblers are under new ownership once again, following US-based group Digital Athlete Ventures taking a 90% stake in the club. This comes after the dissolution of FC32, which took control of the First Division side in October 2024. The multinational group spent big last winter and built a squad that is now second in the table to Dundalk under Mick McDermott, who was signed from Glentoran last December. FC32 planned to build a network of clubs and this fell apart following the acquisition of Spezia Calcio. SKN St Polten, the Austrian side, suffered the most as their funding was cut off immediately, while Cobh were forced to release a statement that distanced themselves from the organisation's issues. Cobh have been searching for investment since and their saviours are US-based Digital Athlete Ventures. The organisation is led by lya Movshovich and Pedro Lombardo of JPX Investments and Bryant Clark, a founder of Texas-based Fifty Five South Ventures. The news was communicated in a press release by the club on Monday, which said the goal of the takeover was long-term stability. Cobh Ramblers chairman Bill O'Leary is thrilled to have the takeover over the line. "After months of hard work, the board is proud to announce this investment partnership," he said. "In a highly competitive landscape, securing a deal of this calibre reflects our commitment to the club's future. "What set DAV apart was not just their financial backing, but their operational capabilities and respect for the club's legacy and community. "Ilya and Pedro have been a pleasure to work with, and we're excited to move forward together." Jim Farrell, a board member at Cobh Ramblers, added: "A massive thank you to our volunteer board and all the other dedicated volunteers. "Your efforts in recent months, along with DAV's support, and guidance from Eric and Alex has been crucial in securing the club's long-term future." Ramblers are just four points behind leaders Dundalk in the table. The club are also the holders of the Munster Senior Cup after their victory over Rockmount in the final in May. The Cork side will open their FAI Cup campaign this weekend with a game against non-league side Bangor Celtic in Dublin.
Irish Examiner
6 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Cobh Ramblers under new ownership following chaotic end to FC32 reign
Cobh Ramblers' search for investment is over following US-based group Digital Athlete Ventures taking a 90% stake in the club. This comes after a chaotic end to the FC32 era, which began last October with a much-publicised takeover by the multi-national organisation that included two-time Super Bowl champion Lawrence Tynes as one of their backers. They spent big and built a squad that is now second in the First Division under Mick McDermott, who was brought down from Glentoran last winter. The plan was to build a multi-club model but that collapsed following the acquisition of Spezia Calcio in Italy. SKN St. Pölten, the Austrian subsidiary, suffered the most as their funding was cut off immediately, while Cobh were forced to release a statement that distanced themselves from the organisation's issues. Their announcement came as Vice President Paul Francis, who was the face of the original takeover, resigned. Cobh have been searching for investment since, and their saviours are US-based Digital Athlete Ventures. This organisation is led by entrepreneur Ilya Movshovich, Pedro Lombardo, managing partner at JPX Investments, and Bryant Clark, founder of Texas-based Fifty Five South Ventures. This organisation is described as a sports and media investment firm that works on empowering 'elite athletes, entertainers, and strategic investors' to positions in professional sports clubs and related platforms. DAV is backed by 'several prominent sports investors' and is based on the principle of combining capital, content, and operational insight to drive long-term value across its portfolio. This was communicated in a press release by the club on Monday, which said the goal of the takeover long term stability. Cobh Ramblers Chairman Bill O'Leary is thrilled to have the takeover over the line after months of negotiations. 'After months of hard work, the Board is proud to announce this investment partnership,' he said in a statement released by the club. 'In a highly competitive landscape, securing a deal of this calibre reflects our commitment to the club's future. What set DAV apart was not just their financial backing, but their operational capabilities and respect for the club's legacy and community. "Ilya and Pedro have been a pleasure to work with, and we're excited to move forward together.' Jim Farrell, a board member at Cobh Ramblers, added: 'A massive thank you to our volunteer Board and all the other dedicated volunteers. Your efforts in recent months, along with DAV's support, and guidance from Eric and Alex has been crucial in securing the club's long-term future." Ramblers are currently second in the League of Ireland First Division, four points behind leaders Dundalk and they open their FAI Cup campaign this weekend with a game against non-league side Bangor Celtic. Mick McDermott and his players are also the holders of the Munster Senior Cup, after their victory over Rockmount in the competition's final last May at Turner's Cross.
Irish Examiner
18 hours ago
- Irish Examiner
Watch: Cork singer leads Liverpool's emotional tributes to Diogo Jota at Preston friendly
For seven minutes after the final whistle, Liverpool players and staff stood in front of their supporters at Preston as they chanted Diogo Jota's name. Sunday's pre-season friendly at Deepdale was originally envisaged as a day to kick-start preparations for Liverpool's Premier League title defence, but it played out as a memorial service for Jota and his brother Andre Silva, 10 days after they died in a car accident in Spain. On the pitch Liverpool eased to a 3-1 win through goals from Conor Bradley, Darwin Nunez and Cody Gakpo but thoughts of Jota and Silva remained at the forefront throughout the day. Liverpool fans pay tribute to Diogo Jota as the players watch on following the pre-season friendly at Preston (Martin Rickett/PA) It began with a beautiful performance of 'You'll Never Walk Alone' by Cork native Claudia Rose Long Maguire, wife of former Preston and current Cork City striker Seani, before kick-off. As Maguire sang Liverpool's anthem, Preston captain Ben Whiteman walked the length of the pitch to lay a wreath in front of the visiting fans, with the Bill Shankly Kop dominated by banners and scarves bearing Jota's name. Emotional tributes were paid to Diogo Jota and his brother Andre Silva ahead of Liverpool's first game since their passing ❤️ Images courtesy of ITV 🎥 — Sky Sports Premier League (@SkySportsPL) July 13, 2025 Liverpool supporters sung the first of many renditions of their Jota chant 20 minutes before kick-off. When they rose to sing it again 20 minutes into the match, marking the squad number that Liverpool retired this week, supporters in all four stands at Deepdale rose to their feet to join the applause. Mohamed Salah, captain of a young Liverpool side that started the game, looked visibly moved by the moment as an image of the brothers – together at Porto in their youth – was shown on the big screen inside the stadium. Darwin Nunez (right) delivered one of Diogo Jota's celebrations after scoring Liverpool's second goal (Martin Rickett/PA) And when Nunez scored Liverpool's second early in the second half, he delivered two of Jota's celebrations – first the shark gesture Jota gave when he scored against Everton at Goodison Park, then another imitating playing video games. Liverpool have been in mourning since the news of Jota's death came early on the morning of July 3, only 11 days after the 28-year-old father of three had married his long-term partner Rute Cardoso. Several Liverpool players attended his funeral in Portugal last Saturday, with others at a memorial that took place in midweek. Players were allowed extra time to report back for pre-season as a result. There had been question marks over whether this fixture would go ahead, but in an interview published on Liverpool's website on Sunday morning, Arne Slot said: 'We are a football club and we need to train and we need to play again, if we want it or not.' 'We'll always carry him with us" ❤️ Arne Slot with a heartfelt tribute to Diogo Jota. — Liverpool FC (@LFC) July 13, 2025 The grieving process will continue, but this felt an important step as a match that might otherwise have been about their new signings – Milos Kerkez and Jeremie Frimpong came off the bench after Giorgi Mamardashvili started in goal – became a moment to play in honour of the memory of Jota and Silva. Bradley opened the scoring in the 34th minute, prodding in at the back post after neat work from Rio Ngumoha and Federico Chiesa, and half-time substitute Nunez pounced on a mistake from Jordan Storey to score the second eight minutes into the second half. Eight minutes from time Preston substitute Liam Lindsay headed past his former team-mate Freddie Woodman, who joined Liverpool from North End at the start of the month, but it felt right for Liverpool to have the final say through Gakpo.
