Colin Healy backs his young side to deliver this season despite slow start
Colin Healy believes Cork have what it takes to start picking up points soon. Credit: Steve Alfred (ETPhotos)
Cork City boss Colin Healy thinks it will take longer than many people expect for his young squad to make their mark this season and begin to deliver performances he knows they are capable of.
Speaking at the club’s weekly media briefing, Healy said: “We have a very young squad, it has been a difficult start to the new season, but the lads are working very hard in training and are not downbeat.
“The lads came into training on Monday (after the 3-1 reversal against Shelbourne), the attitude has been good, we have put on good sessions for them.”
Leaking goals has been a concern for City, they have conceded six goals so far in their opening 4 matches, a fact that Healy realises.
“We have had individual errors that have cost us goals, while these things happen in football matches, they are happening too often to us since the start of the season.
“We are giving away very easy goals at the moment. Two of the goals against Shels were preventable and we need to eradicate this out of our system quickly.”
In relation to the other end of the pitch, Colin also recognises that 15 goals a season strikers are hard to find and his own strikers this season are young and relatively inexperienced.
Cian Bargary, Cian Murphy, Darragh Crowley, Beineon O’Brien Whitmarsh and Jack Walsh are all in the 19-21 age bracket.
Healy said: “They are all good lads, and we will continue to work hard with them, and I am confident the goals will come from this group.”
The potential absence of some of his experienced squad members is a concern heading into their Friday night fixture against league newcomers Treaty United in Limerick.
“Steven Beattie and Gearoid Morrissey have hamstring issues, Cian Bargary has an ankle knock and Dylan McGlade has a tight groin.
“They are all on the treatment table so we will wait until late Thursday before deciding whether or not they will be available.”
City’s opponent on Friday night have got off to a good start, they are unbeaten so far and have only conceded two goals in their four outings to date.
Healy commented: “They are a good side, they are organised and compact at the back, but if our boys put in big performances and they all contribute to the team I am confident that we can pick up the three points.”
